CI. 


Bk. 


THE  ETHEL  CARR  PEACOCK 

MEMORIAL  COLLECTION 

Matris  atnori  monumentum 


TRINITY  COLLEGE  LIBRARY 

DURHAM,  N.  C. 
1903 


Gift  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Drcd  Peacock 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2013 


http://archive.org/details/mrsfrancesmbumpaOObump 


mnfrdt)ce$lt1J)Uitp$$ 


/ 


Autobiography  and  Journal 


THE  ETHEL  CARR  PEACOCK 

Matris  amori  monumentum. 

READING  ROOM 


MRS.    FRANCES    M.    BUMPASS. 


MRS.  FRANCES  M.  BUMPASS. 


Autobiography  and  Journal. 


% 


COMPILED   BY 

MISS  EUGENIA  H.  BUMPASS. 


EDITED   BY 

MRS.  F.  A.  BUTLER. 


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Nashville,  Tenn. 

Publishing  House  M.  E.  Church,  South. 

1899. 


J-  92  o.' 

V  -  r;:4-i"E 

ji     <>*  -p 

1 

INTRODUCTION. 


t/ 


There  is  genuine  pleasure  aside  from 
any  considerations  of  interest  or  affection 
in  tracing  the  life  and  contemplating  the 
character  of  one  so  eminently  good  and 
pure  as  Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

The  little  service,  therefore,  of  reading 
the  proof  sheets  of  this  small  volume  has 
been  "counted  all  joy." 

In  the  unstudied  pages  of  her  journal 
and  autobiography  an  anxious  search 
after  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus  is  constant- 
ly apparent,  with  such  close  scrunity  of 
her  own  heart  in  its  desires,  purposes, 
and  expectations — and  all  expressed  in 
language  of  such  quaint  simplicity — that 
one  is  reminded  of  Carvosso,  Hester  Ann 
Rogers,  or  Kitty  Trevelyan.  Like  those 
devoted  Christians,  her  character  "  shines 
with  heavenly  luster." 

The  reader  will  see  that  Mrs.  Bumpass 
made  no  compromises  with  her  own  soul ; 
in  her  dealings  with  God  she  was  honest, 
without  mental  reservations  or  illusions, 
and  dared  to  look  at  Self  with  open  eye  ; 
she  solved  the  deep  problems  of  life  by 
living  and  doing  the  work  nearest  her 
hand,  without  striving  to  evade  it  or 
dreaming  of  something  better.  The  bet- 
ter and  best  always  came  to  her  expectant 


382154 


4  Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

soul.  In  the  words  of  another,  she  was 
able  to  keep  herself  unspotted  by  the 
world  ;  she  could  walk  in  white  through 
the  stained  thoroughfares  of  men ;  she 
could  touch  the  vile  and  polluted  ones  of 
earth  and  keep  her  garments  pure ;  she 
could  come  in  contact  with  the  sinful,  and 
herself  remain  undefiled. 

It  is  a  mistake  to  suppose  that  serenity 
and  equipoise  of  mind  are  in  proportion 
to  the  deficiency  of  will  power.  It  is  well 
known  that  those  who  exert  the  strongest 
force  of  will  in  ruling  their  own  spirits  or 
commanding  others  are  the  most  tranquil, 
the  most  "  obedient  to  the  heavenly  vi- 
sion ; "  and  those  only  who  are  longing 
and  listening  for  such  visions  and  voices 
are  able  to  see  and  to  hear  at  all  times 
the  call  to  duty. 

Mrs.  Bumpass  was  not  a  sentimental- 
ist ;  she  was  an  active  doer  of  God's 
word,  subjecting  implicitly  her  own  to 
his  will  and  going  straight  forward  in 
the  path  of  life  indicated  by  his  provi- 
dences. Sometimes  her  path  was  bounded 
on  every  side  by  perplexities,  but  with 
lifted  heart  and  bended  knee  she  still  re- 
joiced, until,  to  her  select  spirit,  "  the 
shadows  vanished  in  the  Light  of  Light." 


CONTENTS. 

Page 

Introduction 3 

Mrs.  Frances  Moore  Webb  Bumpass.  7 

Autobiography 29 

Extracts  from  Journal 40 

Sketch  by  a  Friend 64 

Tribute  of  Mrs.  Brooks 71 

Tributes  from  Societies 77 


Mrs.  Frances  Moore  Webb  Bumpass. 


Back  of  every  life  there  lie  countless 
and  varied  ancestral  traits  and  influences 
which  go  to  make  up  the  sum  total  of  in- 
dividual character.  The  appreciation  of 
this  fact  led  Dr.  Holmes,  when  asked, 
"How  early  should  the  training  of  a  child 
begin?"  to  make  the  wise  and  witty  re- 
ply :  "A  hundred  years  before  it  is  born." 
Recognizing  the  truth  of  this  great  prin- 
ciple, when  we  see  a  life  of  rare  sweet- 
ness and  loveliness  crowning  some  long 
ancestral  line,  like  the  final  burst  of  glo- 
rious bloom  which  attests  the  slow  but 
rich  growth  through  long  years  of  the 
century  plant,  we  instinctively  desire  to 
seek  the  hidden  sources  of  such  a  con- 
summation. 

The  writer  of  this  sketch,  in  searching 
the  genealogical  table  of  the  paternal  an- 
cestry of  Mrs.  Bumpass,  was  not  sur- 
prised to  find  the  following  testimony 
from  the  compiler  of  the  family  history : 
"In  this  long  and  numerous  line  of  an- 
cestry I  have  found  no  one  who  has  dis- 
graced the  high  stand  they  have  main- 
tained in  every  community  in  which  they 
have  lived.     I  have  not  found  one  who 


S  Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

has  been  convicted  of  any  crime  involv- 
ing moral  turpitude.  They  have  one  and 
all  been  men  of  good  character;  honest, 
upright,  sincere,  and  of  undoubted  integ- 
rity ;  and  while  they  have  not  been  seek- 
ers after  office  or  position,  their  strong, 
independent  minds  have  made  them  lead- 
ars  of  thought  and  action  on  all  impor- 
tant questions  involving  the  interests  of 
the  communities  in  which  they  have 
lived.  As  women  they  have  been  gentle, 
kind,  and  self-sacrificing.  As  wives, 
mothers,  and  sisters,  loving  and  lovely, 
and  ever  looking  well  to  the  interests  of 
their  households." 

This  long  and  honorable  ancestry 
traces  its  source  to  one  Henry  Webbe, 
of  Dorset,  a  shire  on  the  southern  coast 
of  Wales.  This  gentleman  was  a  member 
of  the  household  of  Catharine  Parr,  last 
queen  of  Henry  VIII. ,  and  mention  of 
him  is  made  in  connection  with  some 
grants  and  privileges,  under  the  hand  and 
signet  of  Catherine,  then  Queen  Regent, 
in  1544.  The  settlement  of  the  family  in 
this  country  is  connected  with  the  ear- 
liest colonial  times.  In  1640  to  1650  two 
Webb  brothers  came  from  Wales  to  set- 
tle in  America.  One  of  these,  Christo- 
pher, settled  at  Baintree,  Mass.,  and  from 
him  is  descended  the  New  England 
branch  of  the  family,  which  has  num- 
bered among  its  members  many  distin- 
guished individuals. 


Autobiography  and  Journal.  9 

Another  brother  settled  about  the  same 
time  in  Isle  of  Wight  County,  Va.,  and  is 
the  ancestor  of  the  Southern  branch  of 
the  family.  It  is  to  this  branch  that  Isaac 
Webb,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Bumpass,  be- 
longed. 

On  the  maternal  side  the  ancestry  is 
equally  honorable  and  noteworthy,  but  a 
complete  record  is  not  accessible  to  the 
writer.  Robert  Dickens,  the  founder  of 
the  family  in  this  country,  was  a  colonel 
in  a  cavalry  regiment  in  the  Continental 
Army.  His  eldest  son,  Jesse  Dickens, 
married  Frances  Moore,  a  daughter  of 
Gen.  Stephen  Moore,  of  Revolutionary 
fame,  having  come  gallantly  to  the  de- 
fense of  his  country  when  the  Southern 
colonies  were  invaded  by  the  British  in 
1779,  and  having  been  taken  prisoner  at 
the  battle  of  Camden.  From  this  union 
was  born  Harriet  Dickens,  the  mother 
of  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Mrs.  Bumpass,  second  child  and  eldest 
daughter  of  Isaac  Webb  and  Harriet 
Webb  (nee  Dickens),  was  born  in  Meck- 
lenburg County,  Va.,  September  26, 
1819.  In  her  early  childhood  her  parents 
removed  to  Person  County,  N.  C,  and 
here,  in  the  simple,  wholesome  atmos- 
phere of  the  farm  life  of  seventy  years 
ago  in  the  South,  in  the  midst  of  a  large 
and  affectionate  group  of  brothers  and 
sisters,  her  childhood  and  young  woman- 


io         Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

hood  were  passed.  Though  Virginia  was 
the  State  of  her  birth,  she  has  through  a 
long  and  useful  life  been  so  identified 
with  the  religious,  educational,  and  social 
life  of  the  State  of  her  adoption  that  from 
one  end  of  North  Carolina  to  the  other 
her  name  is  honored  and  revered  as  that 
of  few  women  has  been. 

From  her  earliest  years  she  breathed 
the  atmosphere  of  refined,  religious  cul- 
ture. Her  home,  with  the  hospitality  of 
the  time  and  section,  was  ever  open  to 
receive  the  faithful  men  of  God,  who  as 
evangels  of  the  gospel  traveled  through 
the  land  on  their  mission  of  love,  and  oft- 
en tarried  in  this  "preachers'  home." 

The  family  life  in  her  home  was  almost 
ideal ;  and  it  could  scarcely  have  been 
otherwise  under  the  firm  but  tender 
guidance  of  such  a  father  and  mother. 
The  latter  was  a  woman  of  decided  char- 
acter and  of  great  intelligence,  having 
naturally  a  strong  mind,  disciplined  by 
study,  and  well  stored  through  much 
reading.  Like  the  model  woman  of  the 
Scriptures,  she  might  have  received  the 
commendation  :  "She  looketh  well  to  the 
ways  of  her  household,  and  eateth  not  the 
bread  of  idleness."  She  gave  her  daugh- 
ters careful  domestic  training,  and  indus- 
try was  one  of  the  laws  of  the  household. 

The  head  of  the  family  was  one  of  the 
best  of  men.     Christian  erace  illumined 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         1 1 

his  countenance,  and  it  was  said  of  him 
by  one  of  the  leading  men  of  his  day : 
"If  there  is  any  truth  in  the  human  face, 
Isaac  Webb  is  a  good  man."  He  was 
a  man  deeply  interested  in  the  moral  and 
intellectual  welfare  of  his  community. 
and  was  highly  respected  and  trusted  by 
his  neighbors,  to  whom  he  was  ever 
ready  to  extend  a  brotherly  hand  of  sym- 
pathy and  assistance.  In  those  days  of 
sparsely  settled  neighborhoods,  when 
physicians  were  few  in  number  and  lived 
at  great  distances,  it  was  not  unusual  for 
some  man  of  good  judgment  to  be  ap- 
plied to  as  a  substitute  for  the  doctor ; 
and  one  of  his  daughter's  most  vivid  rec- 
ollections of  her  father  is  of  his  weigh- 
ing out  medicine  with  the  little  scales  in 
use  at  that  time  for  some  friend  or  neigh- 
bor who,  in  committing  his  health  if  not 
his  life  for  the  time  being  into  his  hands, 
manifested  extreme  confidence  in  his 
good  will  and  common  sense.  On  the 
temperance  question  he  was  in  advance 
of  the  sentiment  of  his  day,  for  at  a  time 
when  nearly  every  family  of  position  kept 
the  decanter  on  the  sideboard  and  re- 
garded it  almost  as  a  breach  of  hospital- 
ity not  to  offer  liquor  in  some  form  to  the 
visitors  at  the  house,  Mr.  Webb  said  to 
his  wife;  "I  fear  some  of  our  neighbors 
drop  in  a  little  oftener  on  account  of  the 
wine  upon  our  sideboard  and  take  more 


12        Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

than  is  best  for  them."  From  that  time 
these  Christian  people  banished  the 
tempter  from  their  home,  thus  obeying 
the  grand  Pauline  principle:  "If  meat 
make  my  brother  to  offend,  I  will  eat  no 
flesh  while  the  world  standeth."  Could 
such  home  influence  fail  to  produce 
strong  Christian  character  in  the  inmates 
of  the  household? 

The  excellent  home  training  was  fur- 
ther enforced  by  the  frequent  visits  which 
Frances  paid  to  her  paternal  grandmoth- 
er, Mrs.  Amy  Webb,  a  godly  woman 
whose  chief  desire  and  daily  prayer 
was  that  her  descendants,  to  the 
latest  generation,  might  be  saved.  This 
prayer  has  been  answered  to  a  re- 
markable degree,  and  her  posterity 
have  been,  so  far  as  known,  charac- 
terized by  a  high  type  of  Christian  living. 
The  little  Frances  often  sat  by  the  bed- 
side of  the  invalid  grandmother,  receiv- 
ing instruction  from  her  lips  that  made 
in  the  plastic  nature  of  childhood  deep 
and  lasting  impressions.  Near  the  bed 
hung  a  scroll  on  which  was  printed  this 
passage  of  Scripture :  "The  eyes  of  the 
Lord  are  in  every  place,  beholding  the 
evil  and  the  good."  Also  the  following 
little  stanza : 

"I'm  not  too  young  for  God  to  see; 

He  knows  my  name  and  nature  too, 
And  all  day  long  he  looks  at  me, 

And  sees  my  actions  through  and  through. " 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         13 

Such  thoughts  made  a  profound  influ- 
ence upon  the  mind  and  heart  of  the 
child,  and  in  speaking  of  her  early  life 
Mrs.  Bumpass  says :  "I  began  early  to 
seek  religion,  being  impressed  with  its 
importance  and  its  power  to  enable  me 
to  perform  my  life  work  aright."  She 
was  converted  at  a  camp  meeting  in  Per- 
son County  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  and  her 
conversion  was  of  that  clear  and  definite 
nature  so  much  insisted  upon  in  the 
preaching  of  the  early  Methodists,  whose 
doctrine  of  experimental  religion  has 
gone  far  to  revolutionize  the  religious 
teaching  of  the  world.  Her  own  words 
with  reference  to  her  conversion  are : 
"Realizing  I  was  lost  unless  God  saved 
me,  I  retired  to  an  upper  room  to  pray, 
in  order  to  get  assurance  whether  the 
change  experienced  was  conversion. 
The  distinct  impression  upon  my  mind 
was :  'God  is  my  Father,  and  I  am  his 
child.'  "  Was  not  this  clearly  the  witness 
of  the  Spirit,  to  which  St.  Paul  refers 
when  he  says :  "The  Spirit  itself  beareth 
witness  with  our  spirit  that  we  are  the 
children  of  God?"  "After  such  a  clear 
manifestation,"  she  says,  "I  should  never 
have  doubted  my  acceptance  with  God; 
and  yet  I  did  suffer  the  tempter  to  insin- 
uate doubts  into  my  mind,  losing  at  times 
the  perfect  peace  and  joy  which  it  is  the 
privilege  of  God's   children  to  enjoy." 


14        Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

Though  she  may  have  been  troubled  for 
a  season,  it  was  not  in  the  nature  of  such 
earnest,  sincere  piety  as  hers  to  permit 
any  cloud  long  to  obscure  from  the 
eye  of  faith  her  precious  Savior,  and  we 
find  her  soon  recovering  her  crown  of 
rejoicing  and  entering  upon  a  calm, 
trustful,  even  Christian  experience, 
which  has  been  characteristic  of  her 
through  life. 

Soon  after  her  conversion  she  was  re- 
ceived into  the  Methodist  Church  by 
Rev.  R.  O.  Burton,  at  Bethlehem,  a 
church  built  mainly  through  the  liberal- 
ity of  her  father,  about  six  miles  east  of 
Roxboro,  Person  County.  It  was  not  in 
accordance  with  her  active,  earnest  spirit 
to  remain  idle  in  her  Master's  vineyard ; 
and  feeling,  as  she  said,  that  God  had 
some  work  for  his  child  to  do,  she  turned, 
as  was  her  custom,  to  the  duty  nearest  at 
hand.  She  gathered  into  a  Sunday 
school  the  younger  brothers  and  sisters 
in  her  home  with  the  children  of  the 
neighborhood ;  she  gave  religious  in- 
struction also  to  the  servants  on  her  fa- 
ther's plantation. 

In  educational  advantages  she  was  as 
fortunate  as  in  her  home  training,  for  her 
parents  had  a  high  appreciation  of  the 
importance  of  education  in  fitting  one  for 
the  highest  duties  of  life.  According  to 
the  custom  of  the  day,  she  attended  pri- 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         15 

vate,  or  family  schools,  it  being  before 
the  era  of  colleges  for  girls  or  the  agita- 
tion of  the  question  of  "higher  educa- 
tion" for  women.  Yet  the  children  of 
intelligent  parents  were  not  deprived  of 
the  opportunity  for  intellectual  culture, 
as  the  well-stored  and  well-disciplined 
mind  of  the  subject  of  our  sketch  fully  at- 
tests. After  the  usual  home  instruction, 
she  attended  school  in  the  family  of  her 
grandmother,  under  the  instruction  of 
Miss  Caroline  Patillo,  a  woman  of  fine 
culture  and  pronounced  piety.  Later  she 
made  her  home  with  her  aunts  in  Gran- 
ville County,  and  attended  school.  Her 
last  days  in  school  were  spent  under  the 
tutelage  of  Rev.  D.  G.  Doak,  a  Presbyte- 
rian minister,  in  Orange  County.  Here, 
as  a  resident  in  his  family,  she  enjoyed 
advantages  of  mental  training  and  disci- 
pline which  tended  greatly  to  broaden 
her  mind  and  develop  analytical  power 
which  she  regarded  as  of  special  value 
and  helpfulness  in  the  editorial  work  to 
which  she  was  called  in  later  life. 

In  all  these  schools  she  was  under  the 
best  moral  and  intellectual  influences, 
and  being  in  the  plastic,  formative  stage 
of  youth,  when  the  character  is  peculiarly 
sensitive  to  the  impress  of  individual  in- 
fluence, she  received  from  these  instruct- 
ors a  bent  of  mind  which  must  of  neces- 
sity have  contributed  largely  to  the  de- 


1 6        Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

velopment  of  that  marked  piety  which  has 
characterized  every  period  of  her  life. 

She  began  teaching  soon  after  her  own 
school  days  came  to  an  end.  Her  life 
as  a  teacher,  at  this  period,  covered  four 
years,  and  was  spent  wholly  in  Granville 
County,  first  in  the  family  of  her  aunts, 
and  later  at  the  home  of  Mr.  Nathaniel 
Daniel,  near  Oak  Hill.  She  felt  these  to 
be  years  of  improvement  that  strength- 
ened her  character  and  increased  her  de- 
sire to  accomplish  the  life  work  appointed 
by  the  Master. 

Thus  glided  away  the  happy,  active 
season  of  girlhood  and  young  woman- 
hood. But  that  event  which  marks  an 
epoch  in  woman's  life,  widening  and 
deepening  her  happiness  and  influence  if 
entered  upon  wisely  and  with  a  pure  and 
holy  love,  was  approaching  to  open  to 
the  young  teacher  a  broader  field  of  work 
as  the  companion  of  an  itinerant  preach- 
er. In  December,  1842,  she  was  happily 
married  to  Rev.  Sidney  Bumpass,  of  the 
North  Carolina  Conference.  This  union 
was  entered  into  after  a  long  acquaint- 
ance, and  with  no  undue  haste.  Indeed, 
Mr.  Bumpass  acknowledged  that  the 
"first  impression,"  the  importance  of 
which  we  all  understand  so  well,  was 
made  while  Frances  was  still  a  school- 
girl, on  the  occasion  of  a  school  examina- 
tion.   Ah !  who  that  has  passed  through 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         17 

the  ordeal  of  a  public  oral  examination 
(a  usual  experience  in  days  agone)  does 
not  recall  the  nervous  dread  and  shrink- 
ing timidity  with  which  the  average  pupil 
faced  the  examiner — feeling  much  as  a 
culprit  might  in  facing  a  judge?  But 
with  that  clear  grasp  of  mind  and  even 
poise  of  character  which  are  among  her 
distinguishing  traits,  she  answered  so 
clearly  and  correctly  the  questions 
propounded  in  natural  philosophy  and 
chemistry  that  the  scholarly  young 
preacher,  acting  in  the  capacity  of  exam- 
iner, received  an  impression  that  never 
faded  from  his  mind,  but  deepened  as  the 
years  went  by.  And  now,  dear  girls, 
would  you  like  a  peep  into  at  least  one 
courtship  of  fifty  years  ago?  Methinks 
there  is  a  perfect  chorus  of  assent,  for 
when  did  a  girl  ever  fail  to  feel  an  inter- 
est in  the  vital  questions  of  love  and 
courtship,  for  "the  whole  world  loves  a 
lover?"  Well,  you  shall  have,  in  confi- 
dence, the  sweet  secret  which  has  come 
to  the  writer  through  the  inestimable 
privilege  of  long  and  intimate  association 
in  the  family.  When  the  young  preacher 
received  that  "first  impression,"  albeit  it 
was  only  philosophical  and  chemical,  it 
proved  to  be  charged  with  the  powerful 
alchemy  of  love,  and  after  the  lapse  of  a 
few  years  he  felt  he  must  put  the  mat- 
ter to  a  test,  so  Miss  Fannie  received 
2 


1 8        Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bump  ass. 

from  him  a  token  in  the  form  of  a  Refer- 
ence Bible,  in  which  there  were  some  in- 
nocent-looking little  slips  of  white  paper 
on  which  were  marked  certain  passages 
from  the  Second  Epistle  of  John.  On 
reference  to  the  passages  indicated  they 
were  found  to  consist  of  the  following 
quotations :  "The  elder  unto  the  elect 
lady,  whom  I  love  in  the  truth,  for  the 
truth's  sake,  which  dwelleth  in  me ;"  and 
"Now  I  beseech  thee,  lady,  that  we  love 
one  another ;"  also  "This  is  love,  that  we 
walk  after  his  commandments."  This 
was  the  first  intimation  that  she  had  of 
having  awakened  an  interest  in  his  mind 
and  heart,  and  at  first  she  did  not  find  a 
response  in  her  heart  to  the  sentiments 
thus  declared.  However,  as  she  pon- 
dered them  in  her  heart,  the  words  "for 
the  truth's  sake"  commended  themselves 
more  and  more  unto  her,  and  gradually 
she  realized  that  such  a  life  companion- 
ship would  conduce  to  her  happiness 
through  their  very  congeniality  of  reli- 
gious sentiment. 

Now  does  this  seem  a  little  quaint  and 
old-fashioned,  and  out  of  line  with  the 
modern  methods  of  courtship?  Well,  if 
so,  just  contrast  the  deep,  sweet  content 
and  happy  companionship  of  that  union 
based  on  love  to  God,  as  well  as  on  mu- 
tual regard,  with  very  many  of  the  unions 
of  these   days  which,   entered   upon  in 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         19 

haste,  are  repented  of  at  leisure,  and  result 
in  years  of  unhappiness  and  disunion,  if 
the  unhappy  partners  do  not  eventually 
find  themselves  suing  for  a  dissolution  of 
their  galling  bonds  in  the  divorce  courts. 

At  the  time  of  their  marriage  Mr. 
Bumpass  was  stationed  in  Raleigh. 
Here  his  young  bride  was  warmly  re- 
ceived by  his  flock,  and  entered  heartily 
upon  the  varied  social  and  religious  du- 
ties which  the  Church  everywhere  feels 
at  liberty  to  impose  upon  that  long-suf- 
fering woman,  the  pastor's  wife.  But  the 
duties  of  the  position  were  in  perfect  con- 
sonance with  the  young  wife's  high  ideals 
of  an  active,  useful,  Christian  life,  and  she 
assumed  them  with  heartiness  and  pleas- 
ure. Upon  no  period  of  her  life  does  she 
look  back  with  more  pleasant  memories 
than  upon  the  nine  years  which  she  spent 
in  the  itinerancy,  sharing  with  her  noble 
husband  its  labors  and  rewards.  During 
those  nine  years  Mr.  Bumpass  served 
successively  as  pastor  Raleigh,  Pitts- 
boro,  Tar  River  Circuit,  and  New  Berne. 
Jn  1846  he  removed  to  Greensboro,  hav- 
ing been  appointed  presiding  elder  on 
the  Greensboro  District. 

Space  will  not  admit,  in  this  brief 
sketch,  of  detailed  mention  of  her  life 
at  these  various  places.  Suffice  it  to  say 
that  everywhere  she  bore  the  same  con- 
sistent testimony  in  her  "daily  walk  and 


20        Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

conversation"  to  the  power  of  divine 
grace  to  enable  one  to  perform  even  the 
difficult  and  delicate  duties  of  life  with 
cheerfulness  and  courage. 

The  first  year  of  their  life  in  Greens- 
boro was  spent  within  the  walls  of 
Greensboro  Female  College.  Mr. 
Bumpass  was  a  man  of  progressive  ideas, 
and,  being  himself  possessed  of  fine  intel- 
lectual culture,  he  was  especially  and 
deeply  interested  in  the  promotion  of 
education.  He  was  among  the  first  in 
this  section  to  espouse  the  cause  of  bet- 
ter educational  opportunities  for  girls, 
and  was  a  liberal  contributor  toward  the 
establishment  of  Greensboro  Female 
College ;  wherever  he  went  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  duties  he  earnestly  recom- 
mended girls  to  avail  themselves  of  the 
advantages  offered  by  that  institution, 
the  second  of  its  kind  chartered  in  the 
South  for  the  liberal  education  of  girls. 

The  year  of  Mrs.  Bumpass's  residence 
in  college  was  during  the  presidency  of 
Rev.  Solomon  Lea,  and  while  Rev.  Ben- 
nett T.  Blake  was  steward.  She  often 
speaks  of  the  pleasure  she  derived  from 
mingling  with  the  pupils  and  teachers  in 
their  social  and  religious  life — a  pleasure 
which  was  kept  up  even  after  she  had  re- 
moved from  the  college  to  her  own  home, 
for  she  often  participated  in  the  college 
prayer  meetings*  as  well  as  in  gracibus 


Autobiography  and  Journal.        21 

revival  seasons  with  which  the  inmates 
of  college  have  been  visited  from  time  to 
time. 

Mrs.  Bumpass  and  her  husband  were 
among  those  who  helped  largely  to 
broaden  and  deepen  the  foundations  of 
Methodism  in  the  community  in  which 
they  had  come  to  live.  When  they  re- 
moved to  Greensboro  the  Methodists,  a 
devoted  little  band,  worshiped  in  a  small 
edifice  on  South  Elm  Street,  where  she 
was  a  regular  attendant  upon  the  preach- 
ing of  that  grand,  good  man  of  God  and 
pioneer  of  Methodism  in  this  region, 
Rev.  Peter  Doub.  Here  Mrs.  Bumpass 
Was  active  in  Christian  work,  participa- 
ting with  fervent  zest  in  all  the  spiritual 
exercises  of  the  Church.  Those  were  the 
days  when  that  institution  peculiar  to 
Methodism,  the  class  meeting,  was  re- 
garded as  an  essential  means  of  grace, 
and  the  gifts  and  graces  of  this  devout 
woman  naturally  led  to  her  appointment 
as  class  leader,  a  position  for  which  she 
was  eminently  fitted,  both  on  account  of 
her  intelligence  and  consecration.  Her 
home  was  through  many  years  thrown 
open  for  these  religious  meetings,  and,  in- 
deed, her  doors  ever  stood  wide  to  wel- 
come all  that  was  good ;  abounding  in  the 
grace  of  hospitality,  she  made  her  home 
the  center  of  refined,  Christian  influence, 
and   a   blessing   to  all   who   sojourned 


22        Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

therein.  In  the  midst  of  this  happiness 
and  usefulness  there  came  a  heavy  cloud 
of  affliction  and  bereavement  to  over- 
shadow and  envelop  in  its  dark  folds  this 
happy  home.  Rarely  has  it  been  the  lot 
of  one  of  God's  children  to  receive  such 
heavy  strokes  of  affliction  as  came  at  one 
time  upon  this  faithful  heart.  In  1851, 
while  attending  Conference  at  Salisbury, 
the  beloved  husband  was  stricken  with 
typhoid  fever,  and  the  anxious  wife,  di- 
vided between  the  sacred  duties  of  wife 
and  mother,  herself  scarcely  recovered 
from  serious  illness,  was  detained  from 
him  by  the  critical  illness  of  her  elder 
son,  Terrelius.  After  days  of  anxious 
watching,  the  little  one  "was  not,  for 
God  took  him;"  and  the  sorrowing 
mother,  turning  from  the  new-made 
mound  which  covered  her  darling's  form 
from  her  sight,  and  leaving  another  pre- 
cious little  one  in  sickness,  hastened  to 
the  bedside  of  her  husband,  reaching 
him  only  in  time  for  the  sad  farewell. 

The  human  heart  must  have  been 
crushed  beneath  such  a  heavy  blow,  had 
it  not  been  for  the  sustaining  grace  of  the 
Heavenly  Father;  but  the  widowed  heart 
clung  more  closely  than  ever  to  that 
only  Refuge  in  time  of  trouble.  Being 
tempted  in  her  first  crushing  grief  to 
feel  that  God  had  been  with  her  during 
her  husband's  life  for  his  sake,  but  had 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         23 

now  withdrawn  his  favor,  she  cried  in  her 
anguish,  "I  cannot  live  without  my 
God !"  and,  falling  upon  her  knees,  she 
poured  out  her  soul  in  prayer  to  Him 
who  promises  to  hear  the  cry  of  his  suf- 
fering children ;  and  soon  there  came  to 
her  heart,  like  a  soft  whisper  of  love,  "I 
will  never  leave  thee  nor  forsake  thee.'' 
Satisfied  and  comforted  with  this  blessed 
promise,  she  felt  she  could  still  live  and 
discharge  life's  duties,  sustained  and 
guided  by  her  Father's  hand. 

Returning  to  her  bereaved  home,  and 
to  her  three  children  still  left  to  claim  her 
loving  care,  she  took  up  the  work  which 
now  seemed  required  at  her  hands — a 
work  dear  to  the  heart  of  both  her  hus- 
band and  herself.  Shortly  before  his 
death,  Mr.  Bumpass,  feeling  upon  his 
mind  the  impress  of  the  Spirit,  saying 
unto  him,  "Write,"  had  begun  the  publi- 
cation of  a  religious  paper,  The  Weekly 
Message,  there  being  at  that  time  no  other 
Methodist  paper  published  in  the  State. 
Complying  with  the  earnest  request  of 
her  husband,  and  trusting  thereby  to  ex- 
ert an  influence  for  good,  Mrs.  Bumpass 
undertook  the  work  of  editing  this  paper ; 
and  for  twenty  years,  with  the  exception 
of  one  year  about  the  close  of  the  civil 
war,  she  continued  this  "labor  of  love," 
having  from  time  to  time,  from  various 
sources,  the  assurance  that  she  was  ac- 


24        Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

complishing  good  with  her  pen.  In  the 
meantime  the  publication  of  the  North 
Carolina  Advocate  had  been  begun,  and 
Mrs.  Bumpass  discontinued  her  paper  in 
1872. 

She  now  resumed  the  duties  of  teach- 
ing, conducting  in  her  own  home  for  a 
number  of  years  a  prosperous  day  school. 
Teaching  was  a  beloved  occupation ;  and 
in  her  day  school,  as  well  as  in  the  Sab- 
bath school,  she  delighted  in  pointing 
youthful  minds  and  hearts  to  God,  and 
in  guiding  little  feet  in  the  way  everlast- 
ing. In  this  congenial  employment,  in- 
terrupted only  by  tender  ministrations  to 
the  sick  and  in  responding  to  all  claims 
demanding  her  help  and  sympathy,  a 
number  of  years  glided  quickly  away 
without  noteworthy  incident. 

In  1878  Providence  again  led  her  out 
into  a  wider  sphere  of  activity.  In  May 
of  that  year  the  Woman's  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary Society  of  the  Southern  Metho- 
dist Church  was  inaugurated  by  the  Gen- 
eral Conference,  then  in  session  in  At- 
lanta, Ga.  Mrs.  Bumpass  was  appointed 
Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Wom- 
an's Missionary  Society  of  the  North 
Carolina  Conference,  and  through  this 
office  she  became  a  member  of  the  Wom- 
an's Board  of  Foreign  Missions.  The 
position  of  Secretary  in  this  Conference 
Society  was  held  until  1890,  when,  after 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         25 

the  division  of  the  Conference,  she  was 
elected  Secretary  of  the  Western  North 
Carolina  Conference  Society,  a  position 
which  she  still  holds. 

Mrs.  Bumpass  is  most  earnest  and 
zealous  in  her  advocacy  of  missions,  and 
has  ever  been  devoted  and  faithful  in  dis- 
charging the  obligations  devolving  on 
her  through  her  office.  For  seventeen 
years  she  has  never  failed  to  fill  her  place 
on  the  Woman's  Board,  though  the  meet- 
ings have  frequently  been  held  at  great 
distance  from  her  home ;  in  the  same 
length  of  time  she  has  missed  only  one 
of  the  annual  meetings  of  the  Conference 
Society.  Her  coworkers  in  the  two  so- 
cieties which  she  has  so  faithfully  served 
resolved  a  few  years  ago  to  establish  a 
lectureship  in  the  Kansas  City  Training 
School  as  a  testimonial  of  their  apprecia- 
tion of  her  work,  as  well  as  of  their  affec- 
tionate regard  for  her.  This  work  has 
been  accomplshed,  and  it  is  hoped  that 
the  "Frances  Bumpass  Lectureship'' 
shall  long  serve  to  perpetuate  the  name 
of  one  whose  sacrificing  devotion  to  the 
cause  makes  it  eminently  proper  that  she 
should  be  remembered  by  such  a  memo- 
rial, having  for  its  object  the  multiplica- 
tion of  laborers  in  the  vineyard  of  the 
Master. 

It  is  related  of  Mary  of  old  that  she 
took  ointment  of  spikenard,  very  costly, 


26        Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

and  anointed  the  feet  of  Jesus ;  and  the 
house  was  filled  with  the  odor  of  the 
ointment.  So  a  pure  and  saintly  life,  like 
precious  "ointment  poured  forth,"  sweet- 
ens and  blesses  all  who  come  within  the 
radius  of  its  influence,  and  is  as  accepta- 
ble to  the  blessed  Savior  as  was  that  cost- 
ly offering  made  by  Mary  so  long  ago. 
Who  that  has  followed  the  narrative  of 
this  consecrated  life  from  youth  to  matu- 
rity does  not  see  therein  the  same  devo- 
tion to  our  Lord,  the  same  self-sacrificing 
principle  that  prompted  the  breaking  of 
the  box  of  ointment  in  token  of  love? 

The  keynote  to  which  this  life  has  been 
attuned  is  love — a  strong,  never  waver- 
ing love  which  feels  and  recognizes  a 
Father's  care  in  every  event  of  life,  there- 
by engendering  such  unfaltering  trust 
that  the  most  perfect  serenity  of  mind  and 
heart  shines  forth  from  the  countenance, 
illumining  the  features  with  a  mild  and 
gentle  light  like  the  mellow  radiance 
from  an  alabaster  lamp.  From  the  same 
spirit  of  love  flows  the  ever-ready  sym- 
pathy which  is  so  quick  to  respond  in 
helpful  kindness  and  wise  counsel  to 
every  burdened  heart. 

The  influence  of  such  a  life,  who  can 
estimate?  No  life  can  be  strong,  gentle, 
pure,  and  good  without  the  world  being 
better  for  it,  without  somebody  being 
helped  and  comforted  by  the  very  exist- 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         27 

ence  of  that  goodness.  How  vast,  then, 
must  be  the  influence  for  good  emana- 
ting from  a  character  in  which  the  purest 
and  loftiest  motives  prevail  over  all  that 
is  low  and  earth-born ;  in  which  self  is 
forgotten  in  the  greater  good  of  human- 
ity, and  the  soul  rises  ever  higher  and 
higher  on  wings  of  aspiration  toward  the 
eternal  soul  of  love ! 

Mrs.  Lucy  H.  Robertson, 

In  College  Message,  May,  1S96. 


The  following  sketch  of  the  life  of 
Mrs.  Bumpass  was  found  among  her 
papers,  in  her  own  handwriting,  evi- 
dently intended  for  her  immediate  fam- 
ily. 


A  UTOBIO  GRAPH  T. 

Frances  Moore  Webb  was  born  Sep- 
tember 26,  1819,  in  Halifax,  Va.,  of  hon- 
orable and  upright  parents.  In  her  child- 
hood they  moved  to  Person  County,  N. 
C.  There,  in  the  quietness  of  a  country 
home,  and  with  a  number  of  brothers  and 
sisters,  she  was  trained  to  habits  of  in- 
dustry. "In  books  and  work  and  health- 
ful play"  her  earliest  years  were  spent. 

She  was  early  impressed  with  the  idea 
that  the  ordinary  duties  of  domestic  life 
were  not  to  occupy  her  time,  but  that 
when  her  school  days  were  ended  she 
should  train  the  minds  and  instruct  the 
souls  of  others. 

She  cannot  date  her  earliest  convic- 
tions of  sin.  Daily  did  her  father  gather 
his  children  at  the  family  altar,  read, 
sing,  and  pray;  and  when  the  preacher 
came,  often  did  they  sit,  with  eager, 
grasping  minds,  to  gather  whatever  of 
interest  might  drop  from  the  lips  of  par- 
ents and  visiting  ministers  in  conversa- 
tion around  the  fireside. 

Often  troubled  with  a  sense  of  her  sins, 
Frances  sought  long  by  works,  instead 
of  by  faith,  to  get  access  to  the  rich  and 
free  mercy  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.    Al- 


30        Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

though  at  times  much  distressed,  it  was 
not  until  she  had  entered  her  fifteenth 
year  that  she  realized  that  all  she  did 
availed  naught,  and  that  unless  the  Lord 
came  to  her  relief  she  was  lost.  Instant- 
ly, on  leaving  the  work  to  God,  peace 
possessed  her  soul.  She  realized  that 
the  Lord  had  done  something  for  her — 
but  was  this  conversion?  The  more  she 
prayed  and  conversed  with  Christians 
the  better  she  felt.  For  years  she  lived 
too  much  by  feeling,  instead  of  by  faith. 
When  there  was  light  and  peace  there 
was  confidence,  but  when  the  enemy 
suggested  that  this  change  was  not  gen- 
uine conversion  doubt  and  fear  dis- 
turbed her.  She  was  regular  in  her  de- 
votions, four  times  daily  bowing  in  silent 
prayer. 

On  Sunday  afternoon  she  would  gath- 
er her  brothers  and  sisters  around  her  to 
study  the  Bible,  and  often  she  would  en- 
ter the  cabin  where  her  father's  servants 
lived  to  read  to  them  the  Book  of  books. 
The  colored  children  on  the  plantation 
also  shared  her  care  and  instruction. 

Once,  on  a  sacramental  occasion, 
Frances  sat  by  an  older  professor  and 
waited  to  accompany  her  to  the  altar  un- 
til too  late,  the  other  not  going;  and  thus 
she  too  failed  to  commemorate  the 
Lord's  Supper.    Then  followed  a  strong 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         31 

temptation  to  relinquish  the  hope  that 
she  had  ever  been  converted,  lest  it  might 
be  a  false  hope,  and  to  seek  until  there 
should  be  a  certainty  that  she  was  a  child 
of  God.  She  yielded,  thinking  she  would 
keep  it  to  herself.  Instantly  as  great 
darkness  shrouded  her  spiritual  horizon 
as  would  enshroud  this  world  if  the  sun 
were  suddenly  blotted  from  the  heavens. 
She  knew  not  how  much  light  her  hope 
in  Christ  had  brought  into  her  soul  until 
this  act  of  unbelief  severed  the  connec- 
tion between  her  soul  and  Christ.  Long 
she  wept  and  prayed,  while  none  but  the 
Omnipresent  One  knew  the  misery  of 
her  soul.  She  concluded  it  was  wrong  to 
live  as  a  professed  Christian  while  in  such 
darkness,  and  requested  that  her  name 
be  erased  from  the  Church  roll.  Her 
grieved  father,  instead  of  having  this 
done,  carried  her  to  a  camp  meeting. 
After  a  struggle,  she  again  bowed  at  the 
altar  of  prayer,  and  found  peace  in  believ- 
ing— no  ecstacy,  but  peace.  She  con- 
cluded that  this  was  the  kind  of  religion 
for  her  nature,  and  that  she  must  culti- 
vate the  mustard  seed. 

For  several  years  she  taught  school, 
which  proved  a  good  discipline,  teach- 
ing her  patience  and  meekness.  At  first, 
amid  the  worries  of  the  schoolroom,  she 
would  feel  her  face  flush  with  excitement. 


32         Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

Night  after  night  she  would  repent  of 
this,  until  she  so  learned  to  rely  on  the 
grace  of  God  as  to  teach  hour  after  hour 
in  sweet  calmness,  whatever  the  annoy- 
ance or  need  of  discipline.  Then  her 
work  became  pleasanter. 

At  times  she  so  realized  the  love  of 
God  as  to  think  she  never  could  doubt 
the  union  of  her  soul  with  the  Divine ; 
but  again,  in  viewing  her  imperfections 
in  the  light  of  the  Word,  and  striving  to 
keep  her  heart  right,  instead  of  looking 
from  self  to  Jesus  and  depending  on  him 
to  make  and  keep  her  right,  she  would 
yield  to  doubt.  At  one  time,  after  many 
precious  manifestations  of  grace  had, 
from  time  to  time,  been  granted  her,  she 
was  reading  of  the  richer  manifestations 
to  others,  and  feared  she  may  have 
stopped  short  of  saving  faith,  and  again 
she  plunged  into  the  vortex  of  unbelief, 
not  daring  for  months  to  look  confidently 
to  Jesus.  Yet  as  she  sought  in  deep  hu- 
miliation his  pardoning  love,  the  blessed 
Savior  appeared  to  her  vision,  hanging 
on  the  cross.  Every  fear  and  doubt 
fled,  and  she  thought :  "Surely  I  can 
never  doubt  again."  Joyous  seasons  fol- 
lowed ;  not,  however,  free  from  tempta- 
tion, but  she  fought  the  fight  of  faith. 

The  choice  reading  of  Frances  was 
books    on    experimental    religion.      By 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         33 

some  of  these  she  was  strengthened,  by 
others  discouraged,  by  the  comparison 
of  other  experiences  with  her  own.  Be- 
ing of  a  quiet,  comparatively  even  tem- 
perament, not  demonstrative,  the  ecsta- 
sies and  shouts  of  others  led  to  question- 
ings of  herself.  Much  excitement  around 
her  quieted  every  emotion.  She  often 
wondered  why. 

In  December,  1842,  Frances  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Rev.  Sidney  D.  Bumpass, 
of  the  North  Carolina  Conference,  and 
for  about  nine  years,  amid  the  changes 
of  the  itinerancy,  spent  as  happy  a  time 
as  she  was  capable  of  enjoying ;  having 
a  contented  disposition,  and  all  the  kind- 
ness and  attention  that  one  of  the  most 
devoted  and  affectionate  of  husbands 
could  bestow.  Two  daughters  and  two 
sons  were  given  them. 

The  first  year  of  this  itinerant  life  was 
spent  happily  in  Raleigh,  amid  great 
kindness  from  all  the  people.  The  young 
wife  was  received  and  treated  as  a  sister. 

The  next  year  was  spent  in  Pittsboro. 
The  Raleigh  church  had  been  so  en- 
larged and  built  up  by  the  labors  of  Mr. 
Bumpass  during  the  two  previous  years 
that  it  was  hoped  the  Pittsboro  church 
would  also  be  enlarged.  A  revival  was 
enjoyed,  and  the  membership  increased, 
but  not  by  hundreds,  as  on  the  former 
3 


34         Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

station.  Pleasant  homes  were  enjoyed 
among  a  kind  people. 

The  next  year  was  spent  in  and  near 
Louisburg,  where,  as  in  former  stations, 
the  pastor  and  his  companion  thought 
they  had  the  place  best  for  them,  just 
where  they  should  be,  amidst  pleasant 
surroundings. 

The  fourth  year  Mr.  Bumpass  was  sta- 
tioned in  New  Berne;  and,  as  in  previous 
years,  happy  results  to  the  church  fol- 
lowed, and  great  kindness  was  shown  to 
the  pastor  and  his  family.  A  serious  at- 
tack of  pneumonia  brought  Mr.  Bumpass 
near  the  grave.  At  the  close  of  that  year 
he  told  Bishop  Capers  that  he  was  not 
able  to  take  an  appointment ;  but  the 
Bishop,  who  was  with  him  during  the 
Conference,  which  convened  in  that  place, 
noticed  his  daily  improvement,  and  ap- 
pointed him  to  the  Greensboro  District, 
saying  that  if  he  could  not  preach  he 
could  go  around  and  hold  the  Quarterly 
Conferences. 

When  he  reached  the  Piedmont  sec- 
tion his  health  rapidly  improved,  and  he 
was  soon  able  to  preach  and  attend  to 
all  the  duties  of  a  presiding  elder.  He 
placed  his  wife  and  children  as  boarders 
in  Greensboro  Female  College,  where 
they  could  be  well  cared  for  until  he 
could   make    other   arrangements.      He 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         35 

soon  decided  that  Greensboro  must  be 
his  home,  and  arranged  for  building. 

For  four  years  he  traveled  the  Greens- 
boro District,  and  was  then  appointed 
to  the  Danville  District,  which  he  trav- 
eled one  year.  The  long  rides  on  the 
district  enfeebled  him,  so  that  he  thought 
he  might  serve  his  generation  better  in 
another  way.  He  had  long  contemplated 
undertaking  something  that  might  con- 
tinue to  save  souls  when  his  work  on 
earth  should  be  closed — publishing  ser- 
mons or  pamphlets.  When  traveling  he 
had  noticed  the  great  need  of  a  paper  to 
suit  the  masses,  and  he  thought  a  week- 
ly message  to  them  from  the  press  would 
accomplish  much.  He  therefore  ar- 
ranged for  the  publication  of  a  paper, 
saying  that  he  would  commit  the  con- 
tinuance of  its  publication  to  his  wife 
if  he  should  be  taken. 

Near  the  close  of  185 1  Mrs.  Bumpass 
was  laid  very  low  by  a  long  attack  of  ty- 
phoid fever,  during  which  she  was  most 
tenderly  nursed  by  her  devoted  husband. 
As  she  was  recovering  the  Lord  mani- 
fested his  goodness  to  her,  and  there 
glided  across  the  walls  of  her  room  a 
panorama  of  her  past  life,  in  which  she 
saw  herself  held  tenderly  by  the  hand  of 
her  Heavenly  Father,  and  once,  when 
she  was  falling,  he  stood  holding  her  up. 


36        Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

Such  views  of  his  guiding  providence 
were  given  her  that  she  realized  how  near 
he  had  always  been,  upholding  and  lead- 
ing. This  was  a  tender  mercy  to  pre- 
pare her  for  the  great  sorrow  in  her  path. 

As  she  recovered  Annual  Conference 
met  in  Salisbury,  and  her  husband,  fee- 
ble from  watching  day  and  night  by  her 
sick  bed,  went  to  Conference,  was  caught 
in  a  rain,  took  a  chill,  and  was  taken  from 
his  buggy  to  the  room  assigned  him,  and 
was  never  able  to  leave  it.  On  the  same 
day  two  of  her  children  were  stricken 
with  fever,  and  during  the  night  watches 
by  their  bed  was  the  sad  reflection  that 
others  were  watching  by  him. 

The  eldest  son,  aged  four  years  and 
two  months,  died ;  and  as  kind  friends 
bore  his  remains  to  the  grave  Mrs. 
Bumpass  hastened  to  her  husband's  bed 
of  death.  She  watched  him  about  a  day 
and  a  half  before  his  happy  spirit  fled  to 
the  realms  of  bliss.  He  recognized  her, 
and  expressed  his  pleasure  at  seeing  her, 
but  was  too  weak  for  conversation. 

His  remains  were  brought  to  Greens- 
boro and  laid  by  those  of  his  little  son. 
How  sad  the  home !  How  desolate ! 
What  a  gloom  settled  over  everything 
earthy !  But  what  a  joyful  recognition 
must  there  have  been  in  heaven  when  the 
father  was  welcomed  amid  rejoicing  an- 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         37 

gels  by  the  bright  little  boy  he  had  left  a 
short  time  previous  so  playful  in  his 
earthly  home!  How  happy  they  in  the 
smile  of  the  Savior !  For  nine  or  ten 
months  the  aching  void  in  the  widowed 
heart  was  such  as  is  known  by  those  only 
who  have  experienced  a  similar  bereave- 
ment. But  as  earth  looked  darker, 
heaven  looked  brighter. 

In  the  fall  of  1852  Mrs.  Bumpass, 
with  her  children,  was  invited  to  make  a 
visit  to  Mrs.  Mock,  a  friend  who  enjoyed 
that  fullness  of  peace  which  comes  to  the 
soul  that  rests  in  Jesus  for  full  salvation. 
There  was  also  visiting  her  a  minister 
who  rejoiced  in  that  perfect  love  which 
casteth  out  all  fear.  As  they  talked  of  the 
privilege  of  claiming  the  promise  and 
resting  on  that,  a  river  of  peace  poured 
into  the  stricken  heart  of  Mrs.  Bumpass 
and  chased  away  all  sadness.  There  was 
a  fullness  of  joy  which  left  no  room  for 
sorrow,  with  the  assurance :  "I  am  whol- 
ly the  Lord's,  and  he  is  mine." 

From  that  day  she  was  a  happier  wom- 
an. She  would  awake  with  rejoicings. 
"Jesus  all  the  day  long  was  her  joy  and 
her  song."  She  was  as  quiet  and  un- 
demonstrative as  before ;  only  her  tongue 
was  loosened  to  speak  forth  praises,  and 
she  ever  wanted  to  talk  of  the  goodness 
of  the  Lord.     She  felt,  after  being  thus 


38        Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

blessed,  that  Jesus  was  to  her  all  that  she 
needed.  Her  sense  of  loneliness  had 
fled.  He  had  become  her  Husband, 
Brother,  Friend,  and  satisfied  all  the 
wants  of  her  nature,  and  she  has  ever 
found  in  her  covenant-keeping  God  a 
readiness  to  forgive  and  bless  as  she  had 
need. 

She  taught  school  during  the  first  year 
after  her  bereavement.  Near  the  close 
of  1852  she  took  charge  of  the  Weekly 
Message,  commenced  by  her  husband, 
and  felt  assured  of  the  Lord's  approval 
and  of  his  presence.  This  work  she  con- 
tinued until  1872,  when  there  seemed  no 
longer  a  demand  for  it. 

The  paper  proved,  during  its  exist- 
ence, a  great  blessing,  and  was  instru- 
mental in  the  conversion  and  upbuild- 
ing of  many  precious  souls ;  but  its  ed- 
itor believed  that,  like  herself,  it  had 
only  in  part  accomplished  its  work — that 
if  she  had  in  all  things  lived  fully  up  to 
the  light  given  it  might  have  accom- 
plished much  more  for  the  Master.  Be- 
ing troubled  lest  she  had  fallen  short  of 
privilege  and  duty,  she  felt  unworthy  to 
be  intrusted  with  any  other  work  in  the 
vineyard.  But  ere  long  a  prosperous 
school  filled  her  hands  and  mind,  and  she 
was  privileged  to  train  souls  for  useful- 
ness here  and  for  glory  hereafter. 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         39 

Then,  O  wondrous  privilege !  in  1878, 
she  was  called  to  a  more  extended  field 
of  usefulness  by  being  appointed  Cor- 
responding Secretary  of  the  Woman's 
Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the  North 
Carolina  Conference.  On  the  division  of 
the  Conference,  in  1890,  she  was  appointed 
Corresponding  Secretary  for  the  West- 
ern North  Carolina  Conference  Society. 
This  appointment  took  her  annually,  for 
nineteen  years,  to  some  distant  city  to 
attend  the  deeply  interesting  and  spir- 
itual meetings  of  the  Woman's  Board  of 
Foreign  Missions,  at  which  she  was  much 
blessed. 

Let  praises  to  our  God  ascend  that 
this  society,  commenced  in  timidity,  yet 
with  holy  courage,  has  been  so  blessed 
of  the  Lord,  so  increased  in  numbers,  so 
multiplied  in  good  works,  and  so  en- 
larged in  its  mission  fields. 

Surely  goodness  and  mercy  have  fol- 
lowed the  writer  in  all  the  vicissitudes  of 
life.  At  times  there  have  been  cares  and 
perplexities,  but  the  covenant-keeping 
God  was  ever  near  to  guide  and  to  re- 
lieve. Often  have  special  answers  been 
given  to  prayer.  The  many  deliverances 
thus  granted  need  not  here  be  enumer- 
ated, if  they  could  be,  for  the  promise 
stands,  "Whatsoever  ye  ask,"  and  a 
blessed  realization  all  may  have  who  rest 
on  His  Word. 


EXTRA  C  TS  FR  OM  JO  URNAL. 

February  5,  1852. — My  heart  delights 
to  dwell  on  the  loved  ones  removed 
from  earth,  though  often  sadly  depressed 
on  account  of  bereavements.  The  Lord 
gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away ; 
blessed  be  his  holy  name.  May  the  afflic- 
tion be  sanctified  to  my  good !  May  I 
learn  the  lesson  which  I  should,  and  not 
suffer  so  much  in  vain !  May  I  trust  in 
the  Lord,  and  continue  in  supplications 
and  prayers  night  and  day !  May  I  be  so 
exercised  that  these  trials  may  yield  the 
peaceable  fruits  of  righteousness  !  May 
the  Lord  condescend  to  direct  me  in  all 
things  and  to  make  every  path  of  duty 
straight  and  plain !  Lord,  I  desire  to  be 
in  thy  hands. 

April  4. — I  have  been  much  tempted, 
perplexed,  and  discouraged  for  several 
days;  but  kept  looking  to  the  Lord  for 
relief,  and  all  praise  be  given  him  for  his 
gracious  help.  He  has  all  power;  to  him 
we  may  look  at  all  times  and  under  all 
circumstances;  he  can  cast  down  imagi- 
nations and  everything  that  molests  and 
hinders  the  free  course  of  his  love. 
Whom  shall  I  fear,  since  he  is  so  gra- 
cious? 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         41 

August  28. — Never  before  have  I  felt 
such  an  abiding  sense  of  my  emptiness 
and  the  fullness  of  Christ,  and  I  rest  in 
him  at  all  times. 

August  30. — I  was  privileged  to  attend 
church  yesterday,  and  to  speak  in  class 
meeting  of  the  great  goodness  of  the 
Lord  to  my  soul ;  but,  when  I  ceased  to 
speak,  I  felt  that  I  had  not  expressed  the 
half  of  what  I  desired  to  say.  May  I 
daily  experience  more  of  the  fullness, 
and  drink  deeper  from  the  wells  of  sal- 
vation !  Such  sweet  peace  I  enjoy  this 
evening  in  trusting  Christ  and  relying 
on  him ! 

September  p. — My  soul  exults  in  God, 
and  rejoices  with  joy  unspeakable.  I  at- 
tended a  camp  meeting  where  the  Lord 
feasted  my  soul  on  the  riches  of  his 
grace.  Glory  to  my  God !  He  has  led 
me  to  cast  all  my  care  on  him  who  careth 
for  me.  I  feel  no  anxious  care  for  the 
future ;  I  have  committed  my  way  unto 
the  Lord,  and  he  will  direct  my  steps. 
If  any  disappointments,  afflictions,  or 
trials  befall  me,  it  will  be  for  my  good, 
to  keep  his  erring  child  from  going 
astray.  It  is  heaven  on  earth  begun. 
What  shall  I  do  to  extend  his  glorious 
knowledge?  O  that  all  might  feast  on 
the  riches  of  his  grace ! 

September  21. — The  Lord  is  precious 


42         Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

to  my  soul.  Our  woman's  prayer  meet- 
ing began  last  Saturday.  Six  were  pres- 
ent. I  desired  to  have  the  meeting,  but 
felt  like  shrinking  from  leading,  should 
many  attend  ;  but  trusted  in  the  Lord  to 
aid  me  as  I  had  need.  O  that  I  may  be 
useful ! 

September  jo.- — I  was  sent  for  to  at- 
tend a  young  ladies'  prayer  meeting.  I 
left  myself  in  the  hands  of  the  Lord, 
praying  that  if  it  was  my  duty  to  speak 
I  might  be  enabled  calmly  to  do  so.  I 
knew  that  my  natural  diffidence  would 
prevent  me,  and  that,  unless  assisted,  I 
should  be  too  much  agitated  to  profit 
others.  I  prayed  the  Lord  to  assist  me 
this  time,  and  I  would  endeavor  in  fu- 
ture always  to  look  to  him  for  strength 
to  do  what  I  could  not  do  by  nature. 
Praise  be  to  his  name  that  he  heard  the 
prayer  of  his  feeble  servant,  and  enabled 
me  with  confidence  and  ea!se — yea,  with 
joy — to  speak  of  his  goodness  and  invite 
others  to  trust  in  the  Lord.  I  opened 
my  mouth,  and  it  was  filled.  O  that  I 
may  never  shrink  from  duty.  Can  I  ever 
doubt  the  goodness  of  my  Heavenly  Fa- 
ther?   Surely  none  ever  trusted  in  vain. 

October  22. — When  school  closed  I 
sought  retirement,  that  I  might  examine 
and  pray  and  learn  if  my  heart  had  de- 
parted from  the  Lord,  so  as  to  sin  amidst 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         43 

the  perplexities  and  temptations  of  this 
week.  A  servant  has  been  very  trying, 
but  may  this  work  for  my  good !  May 
the  Lord  lead  me,  and  may  I  teach  by 
meek  example  and  learn  to  govern 
aright !  Seal  me  unto  the  day  of  redemp- 
tion. 

November  16. — I  have  been  praying 
the  Lord  to  direct  me  what  to  do  with 
the  Message  [the  religious  paper  edited 
by  Mr.  Bumpass] — whether  to  attend  to 
it  myself  or  give  it  up  to  others.  It 
seemed  clear  that  I  ought  to  offer  it  to 
the  Conference.  The  members  did  not 
think  best  to  adopt  it,  and  it  seems  prov- 
identially left  in  my  hands  a  second  time. 
It  does  not  more  than  pay  expenses,  and 
friends  think  the  prospect  gloomy;  but 
He  has  all  hearts  in  His  hands,  and  can 
prosper.  It  does  seem  that  I  ought  to 
take  charge  of  it.  I  fear  I  should  do 
wrong  not  to  do  so.  I  believe  He  will 
make  my  efforts  succeed.  I  awoke  one 
morning  with  this  passage  impressed  on 
my  mind :  "Beloved,  think  it  not  strange 
concerning  the  fiery  trial  which  is  to  try 
you."  One  trial  had  succeeded  another 
until  it  sometimes  seemed  that  my  faith 
would  almost  fail.  Was  not  this  prepara- 
tion for  future  work?  If  the  Lord  be  for 
me,  who  can  be  against  me? 

November     16. — I     felt     disappointed 


44         Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bump  ass. 

about  an  opportunity  I  thought  would 
be  for  my  spiritual  good ;  went  to  the 
Lord  and  found  it  far  better,  and  re- 
joiced in  the  disappointment.  Do  with 
me  as  thou  wilt. 

March  4,  1853. — I  commenced  editing 
the  paper  amid  discouragements  from 
without,  but  with  comfort  and  confidence 
within.  At  first  I  felt  almost  alone,  with 
none  but  the  Lord  on  my  side.  I  have 
been  conducting  it  for  several  months, 
and,  praise  be  to  the  Lord !  he  gives  it 
favor  in  the  eyes  of  the  people.  Sub- 
scribers increase  almost  daily.  The  Lord 
helps  me  and  strengthens  my  weakness. 
I  am  his,  and  he  is  mine.  May  he  do 
with  me  and  the  paper  as  he  knoweth  is 
best !  He  makes  all  things  work  together 
for  my  good.  Although  I  have  diffi- 
culties, I  am  learning  lessons  in  the 
school  of  grace. 

December  51. — Another  year's  mer- 
cies are  closing,  for  another  year's 
goodness  to  commence.  Much  might  I 
record  of  the  goodness  of  the  Lord,  es- 
pecially of  his  great  mercy  shown  in  ban- 
ishing doubts  of  my  spiritual  state,  in 
enabling  me  to  enjoy  that  love  which 
casts  out  all  fear.  His  comforts  increas- 
ingly delight  my  soul.  He  enables  me 
to  love  those  who  most  oppose  me. 
Le&d  me,  O  Lord,  through  whatever  tri- 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         45 

als  thou  seest  best ;  only  do  thou  be  with 
me,  and  all  shall  be  well. 

January  29,  1854. — Friends  have  arisen 
for  the  Message  at  the  time  needed.  The 
Lord  is  good,  and,  whatever  opposers 
may  say,  may  faith  mount  cheeringly 
above  all  and  rejoice  in  the  will  of  the 
Lord,  whether  prosperous  or  adverse ! 
May  his  love  continually  fill  my  soul ! 

March  10.— Much  tempted.  Felt  that 
my  only  hope  was  in  His  sweet  word  of 
promise  that  He  would  not  forsake  those 
who  trusted  in  Him,  and  would  keep 
them  in  perfect  peace  whose  minds  were 
stayed  on  Him.  The  tempter  fled  as  I 
trusted. 

August.  —  Through  encouragements 
from  above  and  discouragements  below 
the  Lord  has  gently  led  me  on  and 
cleared  my  way,  enabling  me  to  glorify 
his  name  by  attending  to  the  beloved 
employment  left  me  by  my  dear  husband. 
He  has  blessed  me  in  the  work. 

September. — While  I  was  disposed  to 
shrink  from  the  cross  my  path  was 
doubtful ;  when  I  became  willing  to  do 
anything  the  Lord  required  the  path  was 
made  plain.  How  sweet  to  go  at  the  bid- 
ding of  the  Spirit ! 

December  jj,  1889. — Unnumbered  and 
great  have  been  the  mercies  of  the 
year.      Besides  home  and  social  enjoy 


46         Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

merits,  unusual  religious  privileges  have 
been  given.  A  sweet  commingling  with 
the  sisters  of  the  Woman's  Board  of  For- 
eign Missions  at  Little  Rock,  then  two 
series  of  revival  services,  our  annual 
missionary  meeting,  and  our  Annual 
Conference — each  occasion  was  owned 
and  blessed  of  God.  A  year  of  blessings, 
after  which  there  should  be  much  good 
fruit.  What  can  I  do  for  Him  who  has 
done  so  much  for  me?  I  have  mingled 
with  the  beloved  branches  of  my  family, 
and  close  the  year  in  comparative  health. 
This  morning  a  tearfulness  came  over  me, 
and  my  thoughts  turned  to  absent  loved 
ones.  I  called  upon  the  Lord,  and  felt 
there  was  help  in  him.  At  different  times, 
when  absent  members  of  my  family  have 
needed  divine  help,  my  soul  has  been 
drawn  out  in  prayer  for  them,  and  after- 
wards I  have  learned  of  their  spiritual 
need. 

January  1,  1880. — For  nearly  seventy 
years  I  have  had  cause  for  thanksgiving 
and  praise,  never  for  complaint  or  distrust 
of  my  Father's  love ;  yet  abundant  cause 
for  penitence,  humiliation,  and  confes- 
sion. How  wondrous,  thou  God  of  love, 
has  been  thy  tender  compassion  toward 
thy  unworthy  child.  "The  lines  have 
fallen  to  me  in  pleasant  places,"  and  I 
will  praise  thee,  O  God.     I  will  look  for 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         47 

fullness  of  joy  as  I  pass  through  the  in- 
firmities of  age.  My  children  are  blessed 
of  God.  May  my  grandchildren  inherit 
the  promises  !  For  thirty-eight  years  my 
husband  and  son  have  been  enjoying  the 
bliss  of  the  redeemed;  and  it  cannot  be 
long  until  I,  another  redeemed  sinner, 
may  join  in  the  everlasting  song  of  praise 
and  glory  unto  Him  who  redeemed  us 
from  all  iniquity.  May  my  last  days  be 
my  holiest  and  most  useful ! 

January  2. — This  morning  I  awoke 
before  day  with  heart  burdened  for 
one  I  love.  I  committed  all  to  God,  and 
was  lightened.  I  rejoiced  that  it  is  good 
to  leave  all  to  God.  I  have  to-day  seen 
two  anxious  ones  to  comfort  with  the 
same  comfort  with  which  I  was  com- 
forted. 

January  10. — An  old  family  servant 
has  been  very  anxious  lest  she  should 
lose  her  home,  as  there  is  a  mortgage  on 
it  and  it  is  advertised  for  sale.  I  have 
been  committing  it  to  the  Lord  and  ad- 
vising her  to  have  wise  counsel,  and  was 
impressed  with  the  words :  "I  have  laid 
help  upon  One  who  is  mighty."  To-day 
I  learn  that  two  small  lots  of  hers  near 
the  house  sold  for  enough  to  cover  the 
debt.  A  striking  Providence  this  to  the 
faithful  laborer,  as  the  crisis  occurs  just 
as  land  has  risen  in  value. 


48        Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

February  20. — I  still  record  the  loving- 
kindness  of  my  God.  La  grippe  pros- 
trated me;  but  the  Lord  raised  me  up, 
and  by  his  mercy  I  am  now  in  health  and 
activity.  I  have  received  many  favors 
and  kind  attentions,  for  which  I  give 
thanks.  I  have  enjoyed  the  privilege  of 
having  two  ministers  call  and  bow  in 
prayer,  besides  pleasant  intercourse  with 
other  Christian  friends.  As  our  pastor 
pleaded  for  the  Holy  Spirit,  the  question 
arose  in  my  mind :  "Why  is  not  more  of 
His  power  realized  when  He  has  so  often 
promised  and  is  so  often  entreated?" 
The  reason  must  be  that  there  is  some 
carnality  lurking  within  which  hinders 
His  operations ;  and  these  remains  of  the 
carnal  mind  must  be  attributed  to  a  de- 
ficiency of  faith  or  failure  to  live  in  a 
state  of  full  consecration.  All  must  be 
yielded,  with  full  reliance  on  the  all- 
cleansing  blood  of  Christ,  and,  when 
cleansed  within,  the  power  of  the  Spirit 
is  unlimited.  O  for  this  fullness  of 
power ! 

March  31. — Another  month  of  mercies, 
with  its  cares  to  cast  on  the  Lord  and  the 
privilege  of  finding  him  ever  near  to  re- 
lieve. How  good  to  know  that  he  has 
power  over  all  hearts,  and,  if  our  ways 
please  him,  he  can  turn  any  heart  to  lov- 
ingf-kindness. 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         49 

April  8. — Whither  shall  my  footsteps 
tend  the  best  to  glorify  God?  I  await 
thy  guidance,  kind  Father.  Thou  hast 
promised  to  instruct  and  teach  me  in  the 
way  I  should  go.  Let  me  clearly  discern 
the  guidance  of  thine  eye. 

June  19. — Since  my  last  record  I  have 
been  to  St.  Louis  to  General  Conference 
and  to  attend  the  meeting  of  the  Wom- 
an's Board  of  Foreign  Missions.  I  have 
received  unnumbered  mercies,  health, 
kind  entertainment,  and  loving  atten- 
tions. How  sweet  the  love  of  friends ! 
Yet  the  presence,  love,  and  guidance  of 
the  God  of  love  is  infinitely  more  pre- 
cious. If  trials  come,  let  the  memory  of 
these  brighten  the  pathway !  Jesus  is 
ever  near. 

January  I,  1885.  — "Watchman,  what 
of  the  night?"  "The  morning  cometh." 
(Isa.  xxi.  11,  12.)  The  morning  cometh 
to  the  child  of  God.  It  is  "not  by  works 
of  righteousness  that  we  are  saved." 
Great  is  the  privilege  of  having  Christ 
Jesus  for  "our  righteousness"  and  hav- 
ing his  "Peace  be  unto  you."  May  my 
life  hereafter  be  one  song  of  thanksgiv- 
ing for  the  innumerable  favors,  temporal 
and  spiritual,  bestowed  on  an  unprofit- 
able servant,  an  unworthy  child  !  Mercy 
and  peace  to  me  is  given.  A  minister 
and  his  wife  and  other  pleasant  friends 
4 


50        Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

came  this  afternoon.  It  was  specially  re- 
freshing, as  for  two  Sundays  I  have  not 
had  Christian  fellowship  at  church,  being 
housed  by  the  weather.  The  minister 
was  just  from  a  new  neighbor's,  and  re- 
lated interesting  events  connected  with 
her  life.  She  had  superintended  a  Sun- 
day school  for  twelve  years,  and  when 
she  moved  away  a  man  addicted  to 
strong  drink  was  elected  superintendent. 
He  met  with  the  scholars  and  talked  to 
them  about  being  good.  He  heard  a  boy 
back  of  him  say  :  "Why  don't  you  do  bet- 
ter?" These  words  struck  him  as  an  ar- 
row, and  he  was  convicted.  Not  long 
after,  our  minister  was  traveling  near  the 
home  of  the  new  Sunday  school  superin- 
tendent, and  a  brother  said  to  him : 
"There  is  a  drunkard  near;  let's  go  and 
stay  a  night  with  him."  They  went  and 
prayed.  The  next  morning  the  man  pro- 
posed to  go  with  the  minister  to  his  quar- 
terly meeting.  They  went,  came  back, 
and  again  he  wished  to  go  with  him  to 
talk  about  his  soul.  They  rode  together 
for  some  time,  when  he  surrendered  him- 
self to  God,  and  afterwards  became  a 
very  active,  zealous  Christian,  gained 
much  influence,  and  did  much  good. 

January  3. — "He  that  tilleth  his  land 
shall  be  satisfied  with  bread."  (Prov. 
xii.  11.)     Found  it  good  to-day  to  take 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         51 

fresh  hold  of  God's  word  and  stand  on 
his  promises.  On  Thee  my  soul  shall 
rest.  My  eyes  are  too  weak  to  read  or 
sew  much ;  I  write  with  closed  eyes. 
Find  it  good  to  trust  my  loving  Father 
for  all  needed  temporal  and  spiritual 
good.  Spent  the  day  alone,  mostly,  busy 
in  various  ways.  How  good  to  be  in 
health ! 

January  8. — One  who  is  not  a  Chris- 
tian has  spent  some  days  with  me.  My 
great  concern  has  been  for  him  to  be 
good.  I  committed  him  to  the  Lord,  and 
feel  encouraged,  and  have  faith  to  lay 
him  on  His  loving  breast  and  leave  him 
thus,  not,  Thomaslike,  waiting  to  see 
ere  I  believe.  Whatever  is  asked  in  faith, 
believing,  is  received.  This  afternoon 
had  a  severe  storm  of  wind,  rain,  thun- 
der, and  lightning. 

January  16. — Great  is  the  satisfaction 
of  rejoicing  in  the  righteousness  which 
is  by  faith  in  Christ  as  we  look  away 
from  unworthy  self  and  feel  that  Jesus  is 
near  and  know  that  we  are  his. 

January  23. — "Jesus,  only  Jesus."  He 
is  our  peace,  and  hath  made  us  both  one 
and  broken  down  the  middle  wall  of  par- 
tition. Praise  be  to  his  name !  "Sweet 
the  moments,  rich  in  blessing,  which  be- 
fore the  cross  I  spend."  What  a  privi- 
lege to  lose  all  sin  at  the  foot  of  the  cross 


52        Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

and  rejoice  in  Jesus  for  salvation !  O 
that  all  would  receive  this  Savior,  that 
their  song  and  their  joy  might  be  the 
same ! 

January  29. — Quietly,  serenely,  my 
days  are  gliding  by  amid  the  blessings 
of  a  kind  Providence,  peace,  plenty,  and 
friendship — housed,  yet  not  a  sufferer. 
Last  Sunday  I  hoped  to  meet  with  the 
Lord  and  his  people  in  his  house;  but 
in  loving-kindness  he  forbade,  and 
said :  "I'll  be  with  thee."  Profitably  the 
hours  passed  in  studying  God's  Word. 
May  the  Lord  give  me  words  in  season 
to  help  troubled  hearts  seeking  comfort ! 

February  4. — How  sweet  the  promise, 
"I  will  never  leave  thee  nor  forsake  thee  !" 
Another  Sunday  at  home ;  weather  cold. 
Our  good  pastor  favored  me  with  a  visit, 
and  offered  prayer.  How  profitable  is 
Christian  fellowship !  How  sweet  to 
realize  God  is  here ! 

February  5. — The  day  glides  sweet- 
ly, made  up  of  peace  and  rest  in  God. 
Tis  good  to  feel  that  He  is  near.  Daily 
I  am  alone  with  God,  and  swiftly  the  day 
passes  in  reading,  sewing,  writing,  etc. 

February  12. — Mercies  every  hour  new. 
How  good  to  look  away  from  self  and 
fix  the  mind  on  Jesus  and  his  atoning 
sacrifice !  'Tis  here  I  rest  in  his  won- 
drous love,  and  find  a  bliss  which  noth- 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         53 

ing  earthly  gives  or  can  destroy.  When 
tempted  and  tried  it  is  good  to  find  a 
resting  place  and  leave  all  to  God. 

February  13. — "Thou  art  the  sea  of 
love"  so  often  is  running  in  my  mind ; 
and  this  morning  is  given  me  such  a 
sweet  realization  that  all  is  on  the  altar, 
Christ  Jesus,  and  he  accepts  the  offering, 
as  he  promises.  What  more  could  I  ask 
for  myself  but  a  full  anointing  for  useful- 
ness? Low  I  would  lie  at  the  feet  of 
Jesus,  and  say :  "Do  with  me  as  thou 
seest  best ;  thou  dost  love  me  too  well  to 
afflict  me.  If  thou  seest  trials  best,  thy 
grace  all-sufficient  shall  be  my  supply. 
I've  nothing  to  fear  with  thee  for  my  God 
and  Guide.  'Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul, 
and  all  that  is  within  me  praise  his  holy 
name.'  " 

February  16. — An  unusually  severe 
winter;  snowing  every  few  days,  one 
snow  on  another,  and  very  cold.  How 
good  is  our  Father  to  provide  all  things 
needful  for  us,  physically  and  spiritually ! 
Redeemed  from  the  curse  of  the  law  for 
our  past  transgressions,  so  that,  being  in 
Christ  Jesus,  and  led  by  the  Spirit,  we 
are  freed  from  condemnation.  Praise 
the  Lord ! 

February  19. — "Put  on  the  whole  ar- 
mor of  God."  This  is  my  text  for  to- 
day.     I'll   watch   and   trust   for  victory 


54        Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

through  Christ.  I  feel  his  peace  within. 
His  atonement  is  sufficient.  "Bless  the 
Lord,  O  my  soul :  and  all  that  is  within 
me,  hless  his  holy  name." 

February  22. — "The  lines  have  fallen 
unto  me  in  pleasant  places."  What 
more  could  I  ask  of  earthly  good?  What 
more  than  is  provided  of  spiritual?  I 
present  myself  to  be  accepted.  Ask,  and 
receive  all  things  needful.  'Tis  good  to 
rest  in  Jesus.  I  was  long  wakeful  last 
night.  When  I  thought,  "He  giveth  his 
beloved  sleep,"  I  asked  as  oft  before, 
and  sweet  sleep  came.  Praise  the  Lord! 
How  sweet  to  leave  all  to  God;  to  know 
he  gives  what  is  best,  and  depend  on  him 
for  all  needed  grace,  purifying,  keeping! 
Jesus,  my  trust,  my  way!  The  soul  is 
safe  for  time  and  eternity,  resting  on  the 
atonement,  sufficiency  for  pardon  and 
sanctification  in  him. 

March  6. — Calendar  verse  for  to-day : 
"If  any  man  serve  me,  let  him  follow  me." 
How  great  the  privilege  to  follow  one 
who  is  all  light,  love,  and  wisdom ! 
How  good  to  know  that  He  SO'  loves  as 
ever  to  choose  what  is  best  for  us !  How 
good  to  ask  each  day,  "What  wouldst 
thou  have  me  do?"  to  have  the  will  sub- 
missive, and  sweetly  follow  on  as  He 
leads !  That  is  heaven  begun  on  earth. 
In  the  heart  of  man  what  worry,  what 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         55 

anxiety,  what  care,  what  perplexities, 
what  fears  of  every  kind! — why  is  this? 
Ah,  because  all  do  not  realize  that  a  God 
of  love  has  this  world  in  hand,  and  none 
are  subject  to  mere  chance,  for  he  holds 
the  reins  of  government  and  guides  safe- 
ly all  who  will  be  led.  A  friend,  last  even- 
ing, spoke  of  the  long  resistance  of  one 
who  was  called  to  the  ministry,  and  the 
final  yielding  and  happiness  following. 
How  wonderful  the  long-suffering  of 
God  to  his  doubting,  shrinking,  and  oft- 
rebellious  children !  Surely  he  is  a  God 
of  love  and  mercy.  What  a  mercy  that 
he  calls  us  to  do  anything  for  him,  when 
he  could  speak  and  it  would  be  done  ! 

March  8. — A  writer  expresses  a  wish 
that  in  Israel  some  giant  would  arise  to 
banish  the  questions  so  disturbing  about 
being  wholly  sanctified  and  the  "second 
blessing."  Did  not  an  all-wise  Teacher 
arise  eighteen  hundred  and  ninety-five 
years  ago  who  taught  as  plainly  as  words 
and  example  can  teach?  What  more  can 
we  ask  than  grace  to  take  him  at  his 
word  and  rest  on  that?  Jesus  says: 
"Blessed  are  they  who  hunger  and  thirst 
after  righteousness :  for  they  shall  be 
filled;"  "Be  ye  therefore  perfect,  even  as 
your  Father  in  heaven  is  perfect ;"  "Ask 
and  ye  shall  receive ;"  "All  things  what- 
soever ye  ask  in  faith,  ye  shall  receive ;" 


56        Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bum  pass. 

"My  grace  is  sufficient  for  you."    What 
more  could  he  say? 

March  16. — When  Moses,  the  highly 
favored  servant  of  God,  was  called  to  ap- 
pear before  God  with  Aaron,  Nadab, 
Abihu,  and  seventy  elders  of  Israel  in  the 
mount,  he  first  built  an  altar  upon  the 
hill  and  offered  burnt  offerings  and  peace 
offerings,  read  the  book  of  the  covenant, 
and  sprinkled  the  blood  of  the  covenant 
on  the  people.  They  were  then  ready  to 
be  in  communion  with  God.  They  saw 
something  of  his  glory,  and  did  eat  and 
drink ;  and,  while  apparently  so  near,  it 
is  stated  that  they  worshiped  God  afar 
off.  Then  Moses  went  up  into  the  mount 
to  be  with  God,  yet  but  dimly  beholding 
his  glory,  for  the  mount  on  which  he 
stood  was  encompassed  with  a  cloud  six 
days,  which  was  doubtless  needed  to  pre- 
pare him  for  the  greater  glory  to  be  re- 
vealed ;  and  God  called  Moses  out  of  the 
cloud,  and  he  went  up  into  the  midst  of 
the  cloud.  What  a  privilege !  What 
bliss  to  be  there  with  God  forty  days, 
growing  more  and  more  like  him,  and 
being  prepared  for  his  trying  work  of 
leading  with  so  much  meekness  and  pa- 
tience the  oft-rebellious  Israelites  for 
forty  years  in  the  wilderness !  Each  la- 
borer in  the  vineyard  needs  to  heed  the 
command  of  the  risen  Savior  and  tarry 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         57 

until  endued  with  power.  A  neglect  of 
this  leads  to  failure.  As  without  this  we 
can  do  nothing,  we  should  carefully  pre- 
pare our  hearts  and  minds,  that  we  may 
be  ready  for  the  descent  of  His  power. 

March  20. — ''Kept  by  the  power  of 
God  unto  salvation."  Consoling  truth 
that  we  are  kept,  for  we  cannot  keep  our- 
selves. We  are  to  present  our  bodies: 
and,  laid  on  the  altar — Christ  Jesus — 
they  are  kept  holy.  It  is  by  faith,  and  ac- 
cording to  faith.  If  the  reliance  is  not  en- 
tire, the  soul  is  not  complete  in  Christ. 
There  must  be  faith  in  the  promise :  "I 
will  receive  you." 

August  22. — Interesting  events  since 
my  last  record  here.  I  have  been  privi- 
leged to  attend  the  seventeenth  meeting 
of  the  Woman's  Board  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions in  Meridian,  Miss.,  amidst  many  fa- 
vors of  friendship  and  a  merciful  Father. 
Although  feeble,  I  was  at  the  annual 
meeting  of  our  Conference  Society  at 
Reidsville.  A  good  meeting,  a  cordial 
reception. 

August  24. — Great  peace  possesses  my 
soul  from  day  to  day.  I  am  resting  in 
Jesus,  and  looking  to  him  to  rule  me  and 
mine. 

September  5. — Visited  eight  families  to- 
day. I  found  it  pleasant  to  mingle  with 
the  sisters,  and  I  trust  it  was  to  the  glory 


58        Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

of  God.  How  good  to  cast  all  our  care 
on  Him  who  careth  for  us ! 

September  15. — Our  good  pastor  has 
been  well  instructing  us  in  the  ways  of 
usefulness  and  paths  of  duty.  I  have 
been  praying  for  more,  and  was  glad  yes- 
terday when  he  preached  clearly  on 
Christian  perfection,  teaching  that  Jesus 
can  keep  from  sin  the  soul  that  is  trusting 
in  him.  "Teach  me  thy  ways,  O  God." 
"Bow  my  whole  soul  to  thy  commands." 
"Make  every  path  of  duty  plain."  "De- 
liver me  from  all  evil."  If  this  cup  of 
self-denial  and  sacrifice  may  not  pass,  not 
my  will,  but  Thine,  with  the  promised 
sufficiency  of  grace. 

September  25. — Unnumbered  mercies 
and  comforts  are  given.  I  am  not  strong, 
but  hearty  and  active. 

September  26. —  To-day  seventy-six 
years  of  age.  The  verse  on  my  calendar 
for  the  day  is  :  "Thou  art  my  hiding  place, 
thou  shalt  preserve  me  from  trouble." 
How  sweet  to  rest  on  the  promises  of  a 
loving  Father !  The  morning  lesson  was 
forbidding  care  for  the  morrow. 

"  If  our  faith  were  but  more  simple, 
We  should  take  him  at  his  word; 
And  our  lives  would  be  all  sunshine 
In  the  sweetness  of  our  Lord." 

Only  by  leaving  our  failures  to  be 
covered  by  the  atonement  and  looking 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         59 

away  to  His  mercy  and  love  can  we  re- 
joice evermore.  How  can  we  doubt  the 
God  of  love  and  mercy?  Forgive,  we 
pray.  Let  everything  that  hath  breath 
praise  Him. 

February  25,  1896. — How  good  to  sub- 
mit ignorant,  short-sighted  self,  with  all 
its  plans  to  the  God  of  wisdom,  thus  leav- 
ing all.  What  when  first  presented 
seemed  a  duty,  appeared  most  objection- 
able, is  made  acceptable,  though  a  cross — ■ 
yea,  to  some  extent,  desirable.  The  privi- 
lege is  great  of  laying  all  on  the  altar, 
Christ  Jesus,  with  the  knowledge  that  the 
altar  sanctifies  the  gift,  and  that  if  in  any- 
thing we  be  otherwise  minded  God  re- 
veals it  to  us,  so  that  we  may  take  God  at 
his  word  and  reckon  ourselves  dead  to 
sin,  through  Jesus  Christ,  and  realize  the 
truth  of  his  promise  :  "I  will  receive  you." 

January  23,  189J. — How  cheering  the 
knowledge  that  the  God  of  love  rules 
the  children  of  men  and  is  especially 
mindful  of  his  trustful  ones.  The  past 
few  months  have  required  especial  trust. 
Yet  I  praise  the  Lord  for  his  sufficiency 
of  grace,  which  has  kept  my  heart  stayed 
on  him  in  great  peace,  and  for  the  knowl- 
edge that  all  things  work  together  for 
good  to  them  that  love  God.  O  that  all 
would  praise  the  Lord  for  his  goodness  ! 

January  24. — It  is  good  to  remember 


60        Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bwnpass. 

the  words  of  our  Lord,  "Be  ready,"  for 
we  know  not  how  suddenly  he  may  come. 

May. — What  a  lovely  evening!  All 
creation  around  in  the  natural  world,  as 
it  arises  to  new  life,  seems  emblematic 
of  the  resurrection.  How  cheering  to 
the  old,  the  afflicted,  to  know  it  is  but 
a  little  while  and  we  shall  arise  in  newness 
of  life  and  enjoy  a  glad  resurrection 
morn  !  Now  we  can  do  little — feel  al- 
most useless,  only  resting,  and  trying  to 
live  as  best  we  can,  chatting  and  looking 
around,  trying  to  speak  some  words  in 
season  to  a  child  or  some  one  who  is 
ready  to  hear,  waiting,  longing  for  im- 
mortality. Father,  help  us  to  wait  pa- 
tiently and  do  something  for  thee.  Thou 
canst  use  and  let  us  rest.  Thy  will  be 
done.  Thou  canst  work  in  love  with  us, 
not  afflicting  willingly.  May  we  rejoice 
in  thy  love,  and  not  grieve  because  we 
feel  so  useless,  but  learn  to  live  one  min- 
ute at  a  time  and  leave  the  future  to 
thee. 

October  15. — While  others  speak  the 
praises  of  the  Lord  in  the  Wednesday 
evening  prayer  meeting,  being  too  feeble 
to  go,  I  pen  a  little  in  my  room.  With 
the  right  use  of  physical  and  mental  pow- 
ers, and  all  things  needful  for  life  and 
godliness,  I  praise  the  Lord  for  his  good- 
ness to  me  and  mine.     To-day  a  good 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         61 

sister  enjoying  the  peace  which  passeth 
understanding,  the  love  which  worketh 
for  the  Master,  came  in.  How  sweet  the 
fellowship  as  we  talked  of  the  sweet  sat- 
isfaction of  God's  grace !  This  evening 
one  of  God's  dear  children  poured  forth 
her  heart's  grief,  and  asked  my  prayers. 
Her  family  trials  are  sore.  Lord,  help 
her.     Thou  wilt. 

October  14. — A  sister  who  has  long 
served  God  heartily  and  has  had  severe 
afflictions,  called  this  evening,  and  it  was 
a  privilege  to  talk  with  her  of  God's  kind 
dealings  and  tender  providences. 

October  75. — Often  waked  last  night, 
free  from  pain  and  cough ;  and  it  was 
good,  in  reviewing  the  past,  to  know 
"there  is  no  condemnation  to  them  who 
are  in  Christ." 

November  2. — The  clay  tenement  tot- 
ters as  rheumatism  reaches  different 
parts  of  the  "earthly  tabernacle,"  causing 
a  tired  rather  than  a  painful  sensation. 
My  Savior,  the  command  is :  "Be  ye  also 
ready."  I  look  to  thee  to  search  me, 
show  me  if  aught  is  lacking,  and  prepare 
me  fully  for  thyself.  My  trust  is  in  thy 
work  in  me,  as  thou  art  "the  Light,  the 
Truth,  the  Way."  My  hope,  my  confi- 
dence is  in  thy  work,  not  mine. 

November  15. — Yesterday  evening  our 
pastor  came  to  my  room  with  a  few  sis- 


62         Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

ters  and  administered  the  sacrament.  It 
was  a  privileged  occasion  to  thus  com- 
mune in  sweet  Christian  fellowship,  after 
being  kept  long  from  church. 

November  22. — A  goodly  number  of 
sisters  met  in  my  room  to  hold  the  first 
of  a  series  of  daily  prayer  meetings  for 
the  Week  of  Prayer.  The  God  of  love 
met  with  us,  and  there  was  much  prayer 
and  weeping  and  rejoicing,  and  we  were 
encouraged  to  appoint  a  weekly  prayer 
meeting.  May  our  God  make  these 
meetings  a  power  for  good  ! 

January,  1898. — Enfeebled  by  rheuma- 
tism. May  I  glorify  God  in  the  fires,  and 
obtain  the  "exceeding  weight  of  glory!" 
My  prayer  has  been  for  usefulness.  It 
may  be  answered  by  affliction. 

January  20. — Stiff  and  weak  in  knees ; 
restless  oft  at  night ;  yet  amid  mercies  of 
all  needed  good.  Weekly  prayer  meet- 
ings in  my  room  refreshing.  May  a  bap- 
tism of  power  not  be  hindered  by  a  lack 
of  consecration ! 

January  51. — Last  Monday  my  eyes 
fell  on  the  verse  closing,  "How  shall  he 
not  with  him  freely  give  us  all  things," 
and  I  trusted  for  all  needed  good  for  the 
week.  It  was  filled  with  loving-kindness 
from  the  Lord  of  mercy  and  from  his 
children.  Choice  spiritual  visitors  came, 
and  a  goodly  number  met  with  us  in  our 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         63 

weekly  prayer  meeting.  I  am  still  af- 
flicted with  rheumatism  and  depending 
on  God  to  heal  or  to  sanctify  for  good. 

February. — My  mind  dwells  this  morn- 
ing on  the  meeting  of  the  Board,  four 
months  hence,  with  thoughts  of  once 
more  mingling  with  the  sisters ;  but  1 
may  cross  over  ere  that  time.  My  trust 
is  in  Jesus  to  cleanse  and  keep  from  spot. 
How  clear  the  way  when  faith  relies  on 
him  alone !  Yet,  how  misty,  when  I  try 
to  get  myself  ready !  How  good  to  de- 
pend on  God  to  work  it  all  right !  What 
comfort  and  mercy  he  bestows  ! 

April  22. — Still  stiff;  rest  better  at 
night ;  hope  soon  to  be  out  at  Board 
meeting.  Resting  in  the  Lord,  waiting 
with  patience  his  will.  O  for  grace  to  do 
his  will  in  all  things  ! 


SKETCH  BY  A  FRIEND. 

The  following  sketch  of  the  last  years 
of  Mrs.  Bumpass  is  added  by  one  who, 
being  closely  associated  with  her,  knew 
intimately  her  home  life : 

In  the  winter  of  1881  Mrs.  Bumpass 
was  brought  very  near  the  grave  by  pneu- 
monia. God  was  merciful  and  raised  her 
up,  and  those  who  loved  her  felt  that  her 
life  had  been  prolonged  for  their  "further- 
ance and  joy  of  faith."  Each  added 
day  of  her  life  proved  a  benediction  to 
all  who  came  within  the  circle  of  her  in- 
fluence and  to  the  many  who  received  the 
blessing  of  her  prayers. 

She  had  an  ardent  love  for  souls,  and 
that  fervent  zeal  for  the  Master  which 
led  her  to  breathe  a  prayer  for  and  to 
speak  some  words  which  showed  an  in- 
terest in  the  soul  of  every  one  with  whom 
she  came  in  contact.  The  weary  agent 
who  called  at  her  door  did  not  leave  with- 
out a  word  of  cheer ;  the  child  was  ten- 
derly told  of  the  love  of  the  All-Father ; 
the  errand  boy  and  the  marketman  heard 
some  inquiry  as  to  the  welfare  of  his  soul. 
The  beggar  never  left  without  some  sub- 
stantial aid,  always  accompanied  by  the 
greater  gift  of  sympathy  and  a  kindly  in- 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         65 

terest  in  his  spiritual  welfare.  Even  the 
tramp  who  received  food  from  her  hand 
received  with  it  a  gentle  reminder  of  the 
proffered  Bread  of  Life,  and  more  than 
once  has  some  youthful  wanderer  given 
her  a  promise  that  he  would  return  to 
his  father's  house  and  walk  in  the  better 
way. 

Not  only  in  spiritual  but  in  temporal 
things  did  she  feel  that  every  opportu- 
nity to  do  a  kindness  for  another  was  a 
privilege  to  herself ;  so  that  by  a  hand  al- 
ways ready  for  service,  as  well  as  by  ten- 
der sympathy,  loving  prayer,  and  wise 
advice,  she  proved  to  be  indeed  "a  suc- 
corer  of  many." 

Her  cheerful  spirit,  loving  smile,  and 
warm  sympathy  made  her  especially  at- 
tractive to  the  young,  and  many  a  joy 
was  made  brighter  for  them  because  she 
shared  it  and  many  a  heartache  was  re- 
lieved by  her  loving  touch. 

A  friend,  when  writing  to  a  member 
of  her  family,  said :  "I  was  present  once 
when  some  gay  young  people  at  the  ta- 
ble were  discussing  races  and  other  things 
of  the  world.  Your  mother  listened 
awhile,  making  a  few  quiet,  pleasant  re- 
marks; then,  in  her  own  sweet  way,  she 
turned  the  conversation  to  a  more  prof- 
itable theme.  I  never  knew  how  it  was 
done,  her  tact  was  so  winning;  but  in  a 
short  time  those  young  people  were  lis- 
5 


66         Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

tening  to  her  with  rapt  attention.  After 
dinner  one  young  man  followed  her  to 
the  parlor  to  continue  the  conversation. 
I  noticed  at  other  times,  among  the 
young  and  thoughtless,  that  she  turned 
the  light  conversation  to  their  future  in- 
terest, and  they  would  seem  interested 
and  surprised,  as  if  the  theme  were  new. 
They  seemed  to  be  deeply  impressed. 
She  used  so  much  tact  that  she  never 
gave  offense,  a  gift  that  I  have  never  seen 
equaled." 

During  all  the  days  of  her  life  His 
Word  was  the  man  of  her  counsel,  for  she 
early  learned  to  carry  everything  to  God 
in  prayer  and  supplication,  thus  receiv- 
ing the  fulfillment  of  the  promise :  "The 
secret  of  the  Lord  is  with  them  that  fear 
him."  Often  persons  in  difficulties  and 
perplexities  sought  help  through  her  en- 
lightened judgment,  and  those  in  sorrow 
or  in  spiritual  darkness  went  to  her  home 
for  prayer  and  for  a  renewal  of  their  faith. 

Thus  it  was  that,  although  for  the  last 
seventeen  years  of  her  life  she  was  feeble 
in  body  and  during  the  winter  months 
was  kept  almost  constantly  within  the 
precincts  of  her  own  home,  her  life  was 
constantly  an  inspiration  and  a  benedic- 
tion, its  influence  radiating  wherever  her 
name  was  known. 

In  the  summer  of  1897  Mrs.  Bumpass 
was     feebler     than     usual,     and     when 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         67 

autumn  came  she  was  attacked  by  in- 
flammatory rheumatism.  Throughout 
the  winter  she  was  so  cheerful  and  bright 
that  few  thought  of  her  as  a  constant  suf- 
ferer. She  still  made  her  life  a  blessing 
to  others  by  every  tender  ministry  which 
lay  in  her  power.  She  continued  to  write, 
chiefly  in  connection  with  the  missionary 
cause,  which  lay  nearest  her  heart,  until 
she  could  no  longer  hold  pen  or  pencil. 
The  Bible  was  still  her  constant  compan- 
ion ;  but  one  April  day  she  laid  down  the 
precious  volume,  saying,  with  a  sweet, 
patient  smile :  "Even  this  has  grown  too 
heavy  for  my  hands." 

In  November,  when  the  Woman's  For- 
eign Missionary  Society  observed  the 
Week  of  Prayer,  its  first  service — one  of 
peculiar  sweetness  and  power — was  held 
at  the  home  of  Mrs.  Bumpass.  This  was 
followed  by  weekly  prayer  meetings 
through  the  winter.  Mrs.  John  R. 
Brooks,  writing  for  the  Woman's  Mis- 
sionary Advocate,  said : 

"As  Mrs.  Bumpass  has  been  unable  to 
attend  church  for  some  months,  several 
of  her  friends  and  neighbors,  at  her  re- 
quest, meet  at  her  home  every  Friday 
afternoon  for  a  service  of  prayer,  to  take 
counsel  of  one  who  has  been  a  'succorer 
of  many,'  and  who,  despite  her  bodily 
afflictions,  is  the  same  bright,  joyous 
Christian  whose  life  has  been  an  inspira- 


68        Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

tion  to  all  who  know  her.  I  wish  your 
readers  could  see  her  as  we  do,  reclining 
in  her  easy-chair.  A  sweet  spirit  of  calm 
trust  and  patient  waiting  that  comes  from 
a  life  'hid  with  Christ  in  God'  seems  to 
hover  about  her  like  a  halo  of  heavenly 
light.  There  is  never  a  word  of  com- 
plaint— no  doubts,  no  clouds  obscuring 
the  promise  of  a  Comforter,  whom  we 
feel  abides  with  her  continually." 

At  one  of  the  services  earnest  prayer 
was  made  that  the  precious  life  should  be 
spared  until  after  the  meeting  of  the 
Woman's  Board  of  Foreign  Missions, 
which  would  convene  in  Greensboro  in 
June.  After  bidding  her  guests  good-by, 
she  said,  in  a  cheerful  tone:  "I  did  not 
join  in  that  prayer."  With  surprise  she 
was  questioned  why  she  did  not  ask  for 
life.  "Because  I  wish  the  Lord's  will  to 
be  done,"  was  the  characteristic  reply. 

However,  her  heart  went  out  after  the 
expected  and  beloved  guests,  and  she 
thought  of  and  planned  for  their  coming, 
trying  in  the  sunshine  of  the  early  spring 
days  to  gain  strength  to  meet  the  Board. 
But  disease  tightened  its  chains  until  she 
said  she  felt  her  earthly  tabernacle  fail- 
ing, and,  while  life  was  very  pleasant,  it 
would  be  sweet  to  die.  There  was  no 
murmur.  "It  is  all  for  some  good,"  was 
the  reiterated  reply  to  those  who  grieved 
at  her  sufferings.     She  quoted  Romans 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         69 

viii.  18  and  2  Corinthians  iv.  17,  dwelling 
on  the  "exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of 
glory." 

On  Sunday,  May  8,  1898,  she  sweetly 
fell  asleep  in  Jesus.  In  life  the  soul  of 
our  dear  one  impressed  itself  with  an  un- 
usual degree  of  spirituality  on  her  pure 
face.  After  death  the  "light  that  never 
was  on  land  or  sea"  irradiated  the  sleep- 
ing countenance.  It  was  a  signal  light 
from  the  other  shore,  and  we  knew  that 
our  saint  had  been  translated,  that  He 
who  made  the  seven  stars  and  Orion  had 
for  her  turned  the  shadow  of  death  into 
the  morning  of  eternal  life.     (Amos  v.  8.) 

"  Calm  on  the  bosom  of  thy  God, 
Fair  spirit,  rest  thee  now. 
E'en  while  with  us  thy  footsteps  trod 
His  seal  was  on  my  brow. 

Dust,  to  thy  narrow  house  beneath; 

Soul,  to  thy  place  on  high, 
They  that  have  seen  thy  look  in  death, 

No  more  may  fear  to  die." 

Her  funeral  service  was  conducted  at 
West  Market  Street  Church  on  Monday 
afternoon  by  Rev.  S.  H.  Hilliard,  who 
came  to  render  this  last  tribute  of  honor 
and  love  to  her  whom  he  had  learned  to 
appreciate  so  fully  during  his  pastorate 
in  Greensboro  a  few  years  ago.  His  ten- 
der and  beautiful  remarks  were  based  on 
the  text,  "She  hath  been  a  succorer  of 
many,   and   of  myself  also ;"   and  there 


70        Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

were  few  in  that  large  audience  that  did 
not  feel  that  dear  "Aunt  Bumpass"  had 
indeed  been  a  helper  to  them  by  her 
prayers,  her  influence,  and,  in  many  cases. 
her  words  of  counsel  and  cheer. 

At  the  close  of  the  tender  and  impress- 
ive service  a  long-  train  of  sorrowing 
friends  followed  her  remains  to  Green 
Hill  Cemetery,  where  we  left  her  beneath 
the  flower-heaped  mound,  under  the  soft 
blue  sky  of  May,  to  await  that  glorious 
resurrection  morn  which  shall  give  to  her 
and  "all  who  love  His  appearing"  the  full 
fruition  of  an  unfaltering  faith. 


TRIBUTE   OR  MRS.  BROOKS. 

For  nearly  twentyyears  there  has  been 
in  attendance  at  the  annual  meetings  of 
the  Woman's  Foreign  Missionary  So- 
cieties in  our  State,  a  sweet-faced,  mod- 
est, motherly  little  woman,  spare  built, 
and  frail  in  appearance.  And,  although 
the  bright  brown  eyes  could  sparkle  with 
intelligent  interest,  the  expression  of  the 
face  was  all  peace  and  serenity.  Her 
voice  was  seldom  heard  in  the  discus- 
sions ;  but,  just  as  the  silent  forces  of  na- 
ture accomplish  the  most  in  carrying  out 
the  laws  that  govern  this  grand  world  of 
ours,  just  so  this  modest,  gentle  woman, 
with  the  mighty  forces  of  prayer  and 
faith,  did  a  work  for  her  Master  the  mag- 
nitude of  which  eternity  alone  can  reveal. 
Such  was  our  sainted  Frances  M. 
Bumpass,  in  memory  of  whom  we  are 
met  this  evening. 

Mrs.  Bumpass  was  born  September  26, 
1819,  in  Mecklenburg  County,  Va.,  the 
daughter  of  Isaac  and  Harriet  Webb. 
They,  however,  early  in  life  removed  to 
Person  County,  N.  C,  where  her  child- 
hood was  spent. 

Reared  under  the  kindliest  of  Christian 
influences,  with  a  mind  early  trained  to 
receive  such  instruction  as  would  best  fit 


72         Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

her  for  the  important  duties  of  life,  she 
bloomed  into  womanhood,  retaining 
throughout  her  long  life  that  forgetful- 
ness  of  self,  that  modesty,  that  was  one  of 
her  chief  characteristics.  "Grace  was  in 
all  her  steps  ;  heaven  in  her  eye  ;  in  every 
gesture  dignity  and  love." 

Happily  married  in  1842  to  Rev.  Sid- 
ney B.  Bumpass,  of  the  North  Carolina 
Conference,  she  took  upon  herself  joy- 
fully all  the  joys  and  sorrows,  all  the 
lights  and  shadows  of  an  itinerant 
preacher's  life. 

For  nine  years  she  walked  by  the  side 
of  her  noble  husband,  a  helpmeet  indeed, 
proving  herself  a  blessing  to  the  people 
wherever  their  lot  was  cast. 

But  the  crucial  test  that  was  to  bring 
out  the  true  gold  of  her  character  was 
now  to  be  applied.  Just  recovering  from 
a  severe  attack  of  illness,  a  child  very 
sick,  and  a  dear  little  boy  of  two  years 
still  in  death,  the  message  came  from 
Salisbury,  where  the  session  of  the 
North  Carolina  Conference  was  being 
held :  "Come  quickly ;  your  husband 
is  very  ill."  Turning  from  the  open 
grave  of  her  darling  boy,  she  was 
conveyed  as  rapidly  as  possible  to  the 
bedside  of  her  dying  husband,  in  time 
to  catch  only  a  look  of  recognition,  when, 
borne  by  angels,  he  was  carried  to  the 
"better  land"  to  await  her  coming. 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         73 

But  the  true  gold  of  her  character 
came  out  of  this  crucible,  shining  bright- 
er as  the  years  went  by.  Years  of  toil 
and  care,  of  struggle  to  educate  her  chil- 
dren amid  the  many  trials,  privations, 
and  responsibilities  that  for  many  years 
attended  her,  no  murmur  against  her 
Heavenly  Father  was  ever  heard.  With 
perfect  obedience  to  His  will,  and  child- 
like trust,  she  yielded  herself  to  her  Fa- 
ther's care,  to  be  guided  and  directed  by 
him.  Through  "faith's  sheltering  bars" 
she  could  look  on  each  to-morrow,  feel- 
ing sure  it  was  all  for  the  best,  "whether 
joy  or  sorrow." 

In  addition  to  the  many  burdens  de- 
volving upon  her  by  the  death  of  her  hus- 
band, she  edited  a  weekly  paper  called  the 
Message,  the  only  one  then  published  by 
the  Methodist  Church  in  North  Carolina. 

But  God  had  other  work  for  his  hand- 
maiden to  do;  and  when,  in  1878,  he 
moved  the  hearts  of  the  women  of  South- 
ern Methodism  to  organize  the  Woman's 
Foreign  Missionary  Society,  she  was 
called  to  fill  the  ofhee  of  Corresponding 
Secretary  of  the  North  Carolina  Confer- 
ence Society,  which  office  she  held  until 
the  division  of  the  Conference,  in  1890, 
when  she  was  called  to  fill  the  same  office 
in  the  Western  North  Carolina  Confer- 
ence Society,  which  office  she  held  until 
her  death. 


74        Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

For  nearly  twenty  years  she  had  been 
a  regular  attendant  at  every  meeting  of 
the  Woman's  Board  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions. 

Never  a  very  strong  woman  physically, 
her  friends  often  thought  the  long  trips 
to  the  Board  too  perilous  an  undertaking 
for  her.  To  those  who  would  seek  to  de- 
tain her  she  would  reply :  "I  am  waiting 
to  know  what  is  my  Father's  will."  And, 
however  feeble  she  might  be  in  body, 
when  he  said  "Go"  she  went,  trusting 
him  to  keep  her,  and  the  trust  was  never 
misplaced.  She  evinced  the  same  spirit 
as  our  founder  of  Methodism,  of  whom 
it  was  said  that  when  his  brother  Charles 
once  remarked,  "Brother,  if  the  Lord 
would  give  me  wings,  I  would  fly,"  our 
leader  responded,  "If  the  Lord  were  to 
tell  me,  brother  Charles,  to  fly,  I  would 
do  it,  trusting  him  to  give  the  wings." 

To  look  into  the  face  of  this  sainted 
woman,  around  which  a  halo  of  peace 
seemed  always  to  rest,  was  like  looking 
upon  one  of  our  sun-kissed  mountains. 
At  its  feet  the  clouds  may  roll,  the  waves 
and  billows  dash  themselves  in  storm- 
driven  fury,  but  unmoved  it  stands, 
turned  heavenward,  while  the  sunshine 
of  heaven  rests  upon  it  in  a  beauty  not  of 
earth.  And  as  you  gaze  upon  it  what  a 
feeling  of  rest,  of  undisturbed  repose, 
comes  over  you  !    Just  so  it  was  to  those 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         75 

whose  happy  privilege  it  was  to  look 
upon  the  face  of  our  "Aunt  Bumpass." 
The  thoughtless  schoolgirl  felt  it ;  the 
young  men,  "caring  for  none  of  these 
things ;"  while  the  man  of  business,  trav- 
eling with  her,  said,  "I  have  seen  a  wom- 
an whose  face  was  like  an  angel's."  A 
stranger,  on  seeing  her  for  the  first  time, 
said :  "And  Moses  wist  not  that  his  face 
shone." 

For  seven  months  or  more  she  was 
confined  to  the  house,  much  of  the  time 
to  her  room,  with  a  very  painful  attack  of 
rheumatism.  She  told  her  loved  ones 
who  ministered  unceasingly  at  her  bed- 
side that  she  did  not  wish  them  to  have 
any  sign  of  mourning  after  her  death, 
either  on  their  persons,  in  the  house,  or 
church.  "Let  it  all  be  bright  and  joy- 
ous," she  would  say.  And,  like  our 
mother  in  Methodism,  she  would  ex- 
claim :  "Children,  as  soon  as  I  am  re- 
leased, sing  a  song  of  praise  to  God !" 
She  too  could  say, 

"  Sunset  and  evening  star  and  one  clear  light 
for  me, 
Let  there  be  no  moaning  at  the  bar 
When  I  put  out  to  sea." 

For  well  she  knew  she  would 

"  Meet  her  Pilot  face  to  face 
When  she  had  crossed  the  bar." 

Just  as  the  sun  reached  the  meridian 
of  its  splendor  on  a  typical  Sunday  in 


76         Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

May  a  bright  convoy  of  angels  hovered 
for  a  while  over  that  home,  the  "abode  of 
peace,"  and  swiftly  bore  to  heaven's 
pearly  gates  the  soul  of  God's  trusting, 
tried,  and  patient  saint,  Frances  Bumpass. 
And  we,  on  whose  hearts  a  burden  of 
grief  at  her  loss  has  fallen,  would  lift  the 
veil  that  hides  that  heavenly  world  from 
ours,  and  catch  a  glimpse  of  her  as  "pass- 
ing through  the  amber  air  she  caught  its 
glowing  dust  upon  her,  and  was  changed, 
the  livid  to  the  radiant." 

Could  we  call  her  back  to  earth  again? 
We  cannot  call  her  "dead,"  for  we  hear 
a  voice  from  heaven  saying:  "Write, 
blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord 
from  henceforth :  Yea,  saith  the  Spirit, 
that  they  may  rest  from  their  labors ;  and 
their  works  do  follow  them." 

"  Our  old  saints  are  gathering  home; 

One  by  one  they  pass  away; 
Every  year  we're  losing  some, 

Yet  we  would  not  bid  them  stay. 
Sin  and  sorrow  left  behind, 

Joy  and  gladness  all  before; 
This  each  sainted  soul  shall  find 

When  they  reach  the  better  shore. 
O,  the  glad  reunions  there! 

O,  the  songs  that  never  cease! 
Happy  saints  are  gathering  where 

Naught  can  mar  the  perfect  peace." 


TRIBUTES  FROM  SOCIETIES. 

Immediately  after  the  news  was  re- 
ceived in  Nashville  that  Mrs.  Bumpass 
had  passed  away  from  the  sight  of  those 
who  loved  her,  the  local  committee  of  the 
Woman's  Board  held  a  meeting  that  re- 
sulted in  the  following  action  : 

"A  sweeter,  gentler  spirit  than  dear 
Sister  F.  M.  Bumpass  never  'fell  on 
sleep:  For  twenty  years  she  was  con- 
nected with  the  Woman's  Board  of  For- 
eign Missions  of  our  Church.  To  see  her 
at  the  annual  meetings  was  an  inspira- 
tion, and  the  sure  fact  that  daily  her 
prayers  for  the  success  of  the  cause  of  mis- 
sions went  up  to  God  strengthened  many 
whose  fears  pointed  to  failure,  though 
their  efforts  and  hopes  were  for  success. 

"Our  sainted  sister  and  friend  has 
passed  into  the  unseen  and  heavenly, 
where  she  finds  'faith  lost  in  sight,'  and 
'hope  in  full  fruition.'  The  fitting,  beau- 
tiful May  time  witnessed  her  translation, 
and  only  thanksgiving  for  her  exaltation 
fills  our  hearts.  We  shall  miss  her  sad- 
ly— miss  the  gentle  presence,  the  loving 
heart,  always  a  benediction  at  the  gath- 
erings for  the  Lord's  work ;  but  we  shall 
one  day  join  her  in  the  kingdom  above, 
where  she  is  forever  with  her  Lord. 


jS         Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

"Resolved:  i.  That  the  cause  she  loved 
and  to  which  she  gave  her  prayers  and 
efforts,  shall  continue  the  object  of  our 
lives,  the  highest  motive  of  our  loving 
efforts,  until  the  establishment  of  the  Re- 
deemer's kingdom  in  all  lands. 

"2.  That,  like  the  incense  of  sweet 
spices,  her  memory  will  be  ever  fragrant, 
her  useful-  life  ever  like  the  Rose  of 
Sharon  in  beauty. 

"3.  That  the  above  be  spread  upon  the 
records  of  the  Board,  and  a  copy  sent  to 
her  bereaved  family. 

Mrs.  S.  C.  Trueheart.  Sec.; 

Mrs.  J.  D.  Hamilton,  Rec.  Sec; 

Mrs.  W.  G.  E.  Cunnyngham, 

Mrs.  H.  N.  McTyeire, 

Mrs.  I.  G.  John." 


Soon  after,  at  the  meeting  of  the  West- 
ern North  Carolina  Conference  Society, 
the  following  resolutions  were  passed  : 

"Whereas,  since  the  sad  tidings  went 
abroad,  on  May  8,  that  our  beloved  and 
venerable  Corresponding  Secretary,  Mrs. 
F.  M.  Bumpass,  had  been  called  from  la- 
bor to  reward,  this  Conference  Foreign 
Missionary  Society  has  felt  deeply  be- 
reaved, as  by  the  death  of  a  mother  be- 
loved, and  desiring  as  a  Society  to  give 
this  public  expression  to  our  deep  sense 
of  loss,  as  well  as  to  our  personal  love  for 
her  who  has  gone  from  among  us,  and 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         79 

our  appreciation  of  her  exalted  virtues 
and  beautiful  Christian  character ; 

"Resolved:  1.  That  in  this,  the  first 
annual  meeting  since  our  organization 
that  she  has  not  been  with  us,  we  miss 
her  gentle  presence,  her  sweet  counte- 
nance in  which  beamed  the  light  of  love 
and  trust,  and  her  prayers  and  wise  coun- 
sels, which  were  ever  a  source  of  strength 
in  our  deliberations. 

"2.  That  her  holy  life  and  example 
having  ever  been  a  blessed  influence  in 
our  lives,  we  will  cherish  her  memory 
fondly,  and  ever  strive  to  follow  her  as 
she  followed  Christ,  embalming  in  our 
hearts  her  gentle,  holy  influence,  and 
seeking  to  embody  in  our  lives  the  prin- 
ciples by  which  she  ordered  her  life. 

"3.  That  these  resolutions  be  pub- 
lished in  our  annual  minutes,  and  that  a 
copy  be  sent  by  the  Secretary  to  the  be- 
reaved family,  with  sincere  and  loving 
sympathy  from  this  Society. 

Mrs.  L.  H.  Robertson,  Prcs.; 

Mrs.  Jno.  R.  Brooks,  Rec.  Sec.; 

Mrs.  L.  W.  Crawford,  Cor.  Sec; 

Mrs.  J.  W.  Alspaugh,  Trcas.; 

Mrs.  J.  H.  Weaver." 


The  auxiliary  society  of  West  Market 
Street  Church,  in  Greensboro,  N.  C,  of 
which  she  was  a  member,  manifested 
their  love  and  esteem  as  follows : 


So         Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bnmpass. 

"The  Woman's  Foreign  Missionary 
Society  of  West  Market  Street  Church, 
feeling  with  profound  sorrow  the  deep 
bereavement  sustained  by  the  death  of 
Mrs.  F.  M.  Bumpass,  desire  to  give 
some  expression  to  their  loving  appre- 
ciation of  her  beautiful  life  and  charac- 
ter, as  well  as  to  their  sense  of  personal 
loss  in  her  death.     Therefore, 

"Resolved:  i.  That  this  society,  plant- 
ed by  her  agency  and  nurtured  by  her 
prayers,  having  enjoyed  for  twenty  years 
the  privilege  of  her  godly  example,  is 
sadly  and  sorely  bereft  by  her  removal. 
Through  all  these  years  in  the  foreign 
missionary  society  and  through  many 
more  in  the  Church,  she  has  ever  been 
a  help  and  inspiration  to  all  who  came 
within  the  sphere  of  her  Christian  influ- 
ence. Ever  a  source  of  strength  and 
comfort,  she  was  constantly  sought  by 
many  in  sorrow,  doubt,  or  perplexity, 
who  invariably  found  that  she  adminis- 
tered consolation  and  helped  others  to 
find  that  peace  and  joy  which  seemed 
ever  to  abide  with  her. 

"2.  That  the  memory  of  such  a  life 
should  never  fade  from  our  hearts,  but 
should  be  cherished  with  fond  love  and 
ardent  emulation  of  the  virtues  which 
like  a  halo  encircled  her  brow,  that  be- 
ing dead  she  may  yet  speak  to  our  hearts 
and   draw   us    onward   and    upward   by 


Autobiography  and  Journal.         Si 

the  magnetism  of  a  pure  and  holy  ex- 
ample. 

"3.  That  we  tender  our  deepest  sym- 
pathy and  love  to  her  family,  and  pray 
that  the  Comforter  may  impart  to  them 
the  consolation  which  she,  their  loved 
one,  ever  found  through  unfaltering- 
trust  in  the  Father's  love. 

"4.  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions 
be  spread  upon  the  minutes  of  the  so- 
ciety, that  a  copy  be  sent  her  family, 
and  that  they  be  furnished  to  the  North 
Carolina  Christian  Advocate,  and  to  the 
city  papers  for  publication." 

There  were  many  other  loving  trib- 
utes to  her  memory.  Among  them  res- 
olutions were  adopted  by  the  society  of 
Centenary  Church,  in  Greensboro,  N. 
C,  and  by  Grace  Auxiliary-  in  Wilming- 
ton, N.  C.  We  have  not  space  in  this 
small  volume  to  give  all  the  comments 
on  her  beautiful  life  and  character. 


The  following  verses  were  read  at  a 
memorial  service  held  by  the  Woman's 
Christian  Temperance  Union  Conven- 
tion of  North  Carolina,  in  loving  remem- 
brance of  Mrs.  F.  M.  Bumpass  : 

A  mother  in  Israel  has  passed  away, 

We  shall  see  her  face  no  more; 
A  saintly  soul,  from  its  house  of  clay, 

Has  escaped  to  the  golden  shore. 
6 


§2        Mrs.  Frances  M.  Bumpass. 

We  shall  miss  her  low,  sweet  voice  in  prayer, 
And  the  smile  on  her  placid  face, 

As  the  fervent  words,  through  the  ambient  air, 
Rose  up  to  the  throne  of  grace. 

But  we  know  she  dwells  in  a  happier  clime, 

In  a  cloudless  land  of  love; 
She  has  floated  beyond  the  heights  sublime, 

To  the  radiant  courts  above. 
Over  the  shining  crystal  sea, 

Up  through  the  silvery  light, 
By  the  stars  where  many  mansions  be, 

She  has  taken  her  heavenly  flight. 

And  now  she  beholds  the  city  of  gold, 

Jerusalem,  brilliant  and  fair, 
While  the  beautiful  story,  the  story  of  old, 

Is  sung  by  the  angels  there. 
We  follow  her  track  with  longing  eyes, 

Ablaze  on  the  upward  road, 
A  brightening  line  through  the  vaulted  skies, 

That  touches  the  palace  of  God. 

No  nobler,  sweeter  spirit  has  flown, 

None  nearer  the  love  divine, 
To  the  home  where  the  Savior  claims  his  own, 

Where  glories  ineffable  shine. 
She  lies  in  dreamless  sleep  mid  the  flowers, 
Where  the  violets  exhale  their  perfume, 
Where  the  willows  weep  through  the  golden 
hours, 
And  the  midsummer  roses  bloom. 

In  the  bosom  of  God,  in  the  haven  of  rest, 

Afar  from  all  turmoil  and  strife, 
In  the  amaranth  bowers,  immortal  above, 

She  has  entered  eternal  life. 
We  shall  miss  her  here,  but  find  her  there, 

When  earth  and  its  sorrows  have  fled, 
Like  the  benediction  that  comes  after  prayer 

In  the  land  of  the  deathless  dead. 

E.  D.  Hundley. 


Date  Due 

1 



Form  335.     25M^-7-38— S 

9 SO. 7      B941B      P      332154 


